Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Groundscraper Thrush
Afrikaans name: Gevlekte Lyster
Photo © Steven Herbert
Psophocichla litsitsirupa
The Groundscraper Thrush is a handsome bird that is normally seen on the ground. It favours areas of short grass (like a lawn) or sparse cover.
The Groundscrpaer Thrush is a bit over 20 cm in length and it makes the most of this by standing very upright.
Their backs are a plain brown but their underparts are covered with striking black markings on white.
The Groundscraper Thrush feeds mainly on insects and spiders.
Despite spending most of their lives on the ground they nest in trees. A cup-shaped nest is made and 2 to 4 eggs are laid. The eggs are speckled brown on a pale blue background.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 557 | Psophocichla litsitsirupa litsitsirupa |
| 2nd | 557 | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| 3rd | 557 | Turdus litsipsirupa |
| 4th | 557 | Turdus litsipsirupa |
| 5th | 580 | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| 6th | 580 | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| 7th | 747 | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 557 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 2nd | 557 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 3rd | 557 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 4th | 557 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 5th | 580 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 6th | 580 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| 7th | 747 | Groundscraper Thrush |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 557 | Gevlekte-lyster |
| 2nd | 557 | Gevlekte Lyster |
| 3rd | 557 | Gevlekte-lyster |
| 4th | 557 | Gevlekte-lyster |
| 5th | 580 | Gevlekte Lyster |
| 6th | 580 | Gevlekte Lyster |
| 7th | 747 | Gevlekte Lyster |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 148Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 147
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 232
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 316
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 302
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 503
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 392
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 508
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 380
More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 45
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 312
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 312
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 286
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 295
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 156
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 224
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 412
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 60
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 64
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 188
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 76
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 438
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 164
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 14
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 72
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 203
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 72
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 223
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