In the beginning there was Zoothera dauma occuring from Asia India, China,
Pilippines, Indonesia, PNG, Aus. and straggling to Europe. (there were also
a few other species of Zoothera). Many subspecies were recognised.
Vernacular names included White's Thrush (Europe) Scaly Thrush (Asia) and
Australian Ground Thrush. Julian Ford in 1983 reviewed the Australasian
subspecies and split-off two species: (1) the "Basian Thrush" Z. lunulata
lunalata and Z. l. cuneata; and (2) the "Russet-tailed Thrush" Z. heinei
and Z. h. papuensis. Acceptance of this was slow but Sibley & Monroe (1990)
accepted it (with the change that they placed papuensis with lunulata)
followed by Christidis & Boles (1994). Zoothera dauma is currently
recognised as a species breeding mainly in n. Asia (W. Siberia to Urals and
Japan, Himalayas and s-c. China) and wintering in S.E. Asia. That's as much
as I know, but I expect that more tinkering has or will occur with sclay
thrush taxonomy overseas.
The RAOU Records Appraisal Committee (now Birds Australia Records
Committee) received a submission of Z. dauma from Booby Is. Torres Strait
(21/12/77) (case 38), but it was not accepted. Back before the beginning in
the old checklists the Australian Ground-Thrush went by the scientific name
of Oreocincla lunulata and was treated as a species in its own right. The
First Slater Field Guide Vol 2 Passerines listed Australian Gorund-Thrush
Z. dauma and Atherton Ground-Thrush Z. cuneata.
I hope this is all as clear as the back-end of a thrush in the forest on a
wet morning 10 minutes before sunrise?
David James
PO BOX 5225
Townsville Mail Centre 4810
|
