Amami thrush

Abstract: Chaiyaphun 1968). The listing of Oriental White-eye was based on conversation between E. C. Dickinson and H. G. Deignan, in which the latter supposed that Oriental White-eye was the most likely white-eye species to be found in Khao Yai. However, in 1968, Dickinson identified a flock of 12 white-eyes in Khao Yai as Everett’s White-eye on the basis of their ‘very dark flanks’, and all white-eyes he saw subsequently were likewise identified as Everett’s White-eye (E. C. Dickinson in litt. 2005). White-eyes in Khao Yai were also independently identified as Everett’s by S. Tantidapitak (verbally 2005), from comparison of video images of both Oriental and Everett’s White-eyes in other parts of their Thai range, especially in the peninsula. Thailand’s Dong Phaya Yen forest complex supports two other species that, like Everett’s White-eye, are mainly Sundaic in distribution: Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum and Moustached Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx vagans (Lynam et al. in press, Lekagul and Round 1991). These species, however, are known elsewhere in Indochina, in south Laos (both), Cambodia and Annam (M. cinereum only: Robson 2000). Although Everett’s White-eye has now been confirmed in Khao Yai, there are, as yet, no records from elsewhere in Indochina other than from Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi province, south-east Thailand. This strongly suggests that further surveys may reveal as yet undiscovered, outlying populations of Everett’s White-eyes in moist evergreen hill-slope habitats in Indochina, almost certainly in the Cardamom Mountains of south-west Cambodia, and perhaps elsewhere. Thus, in addition to further surveys for Everett’s Whiteeye, more work is also required to elucidate the range of Oriental White-eye in north-east and eastern Thailand and possibly elsewhere in the Indochinese region. Although Oriental White-eye is apparently widespread in Indochina (King et al. 1975, Robson 1999, Dickinson 2003), in the absence of specimens or photographs the presence of this species in Khao Yai and elsewhere in Dong Phaya Yen must currently be considered as unconfirmed. If it does occur, it is perhaps more likely to be found at lower elevations, in disturbed habitats or deciduous woodland around the park boundaries.

Abstract: Amami Thrushes (Zoothera dauma major) are endemic birds distributed on Amami-Oshima Island in southwestern Japan. The population is considered to have declined during the latter half of the 20th century, mainly because of deforestation. I investigated the breeding habitat of Amami Thrushes in order to contribute to conservation efforts for these endangered birds. Field surveys showed that the thrushes prefer old-growth broad-leaved forests for breeding habitat. Both male and female parents cared for the nestlings, and most food items delivered for nestlings were earthworms, which were more abundant on the forest floor in older forests than in younger forests. Nests were placed on forks of large tree branches, rock ledges, and epiphytic ferns in middle to low strata of the forest. Older forests contained more large trees than younger forests, and epiphytic ferns were distributed in old-growth forests. The thrushs' preference for old-growth forests as breeding habitat was explained by the abundance...