Arafura Shrikethrush
Colluricincla megarhyncha
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
- GenusColluricincla (Shrikethrushes)
- SpeciesColluricincla megarhyncha (Arafura Shrikethrush)
About the Arafura Shrikethrush
The little shrikethrush or little shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) is a species of passerine bird in the family Pachycephalidae that is found in New Guinea as well as in north and east Australia. The little shrikethrush was formally described and illustrated in 1832 as Muscicapa megarhyncha by the French naturalists Jean Quoy and Joseph Gaimard based on a specimen collected near Manokwari in the Bird's Head Peninsula of New Guinea. The specific epithet combines the Ancient Greek μεγα/mega meaning "much" with ῥυγχος/rhunkhos meaning "bill". The little shrikethrush is now placed in the genus Colluricincla that was introduced in 1827 by the naturalists Nicholas Vigors and Thomas Horsfield.
Molecular genetic studies of New Guinea populations of the little shrikethrush indicate high levels of genetic divergence, suggesting it may comprise more than one species. With at least eight separate clades identified as potential species splits, further research may lead to the re-classification of several new species. Alternate names for the little shrikethrush include the brown shrike-flycatcher and rufous shrike-thrush.
Sixteen subspecies are recognised: C. m. megarhyncha... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Raja Ampat
Grey Whistler
Pachycephala simplex
Rusty Pitohui
Pseudorectes ferrugineus
Island Whistler
Pachycephala phaionota
Mottled Whistler
Rhagologus leucostigma
Rusty Whistler
Pachycephala hyperythra
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
Helmeted Friarbird
Philemon buceroides
Pacific Swallow
Hirundo javanica
Torresian Crow
Corvus orru
Glossy-mantled Manucode
Manucodia ater
Red Bird-of-Paradise
Paradisaea rubra
Shining Flycatcher
Myiagra alecto
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noosa National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Litchfield National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 5 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Kakadu National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Nitmiluk National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Arafura Shrikethrush in Raja Ampat?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Arafura Shrikethrush sighting in Raja Ampat, based on 270 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Arafura Shrikethrush in Raja Ampat?
May has the highest sighting rate for Arafura Shrikethrush in Raja Ampat in our monthly data.