Zoothera

Zoothera is a genus of passerine birds in the thrush family Turdidae. It comprises several forest-dwelling thrushes that forage on the forest floor across Asia, from the Himalayas and eastern China to Southeast Asia and the Russian Far East. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision; molecular studies have led to reassignment of some species to other genera such as Geokichla, and to splits within Zoothera itself.

These birds are medium-sized thrushes with brown, olive, or rufous plumage, often featuring scaling or spotted patterns on the underparts. They are typically secretive and ground-foraging, spending much time in leaf litter as they search for invertebrates. Their diet includes insects, earthworms, berries, and other fruit, making them omnivorous opportunists in many habitats.

Habitat varies from dense evergreen forests to mixed scrub and secondary growth. They are commonly found on or near the forest floor and are adapted to woodland environments at various elevations. Some species exhibit migratory or altitudinal movements, shifting position seasonally in response to food availability and climate.

Notable species commonly associated with the genus include the Scaly Thrush (Zoothera dauma) and the Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina). Other taxa that have been placed in Zoothera in different classifications include White's Thrush (Zoothera aurea) and Siberian Thrush (Zoothera sibirica), though their exact placement has varied with taxonomic revision.

Conservation status varies by species, with habitat loss and fragmentation posing threats to several members of the group. Overall, Zoothera represents a distinct and historically fluctuating lineage within the Turdidae that highlights the ongoing refinement of avian taxonomy.