Discover new species of thrush by singing

By distinguishing between the characteristic melodious songs, scientists have discovered a new species of thrush in the Himalayas of northern India and China.

According to the BBC, the new bird with the scientific name Zoothera salimalii commemorates Dr. Salim Ali (who died in 1987) - who has greatly contributed to the study and conservation of birds in India.

Zoothera salimalii.(Photo: Scinews.com).

A group of international researchers from Sweden, China, the United States, India and Russia have been searching and researching Zoothera salimalii new bird since 2009 and initially confused this species with the Zoothera mollissima.

The song of these two species is really different and this is a factor that helps scientists distinguish them. The Zoothera salimalii species that live in the lowland forest is more melodious and quieter than the Zoothera mollissima mountain bird that lives in the alpine forest environment (the sound of the song is quite mixed and hissing).

Scientists say initially looking at the outward appearance of two species could not find any difference in the fur between them.

"Through the recording of songs, DNA analysis and comparison with samples at 15 museums in the world, we have identified these as two separate evolutionary species millions of years ago, probably around the same time. time humans and chimpanzees evolved separately , " said Professor Per Alström, working at Uppsala University (Sweden), who led the study.

Zoothera salimalii birds are caught for research.(Photo: BBC).

The team after the analysis suggested that the two species started as "the same species" but later evolved to adapt to the different habitat needs of forests and mountains. Zoothera salimalii has shorter legs and tail than mountain Zoothera mollissima when compared to the same body size. Mountain birds have long legs that are easily adapted to a more open-air habitat in the forest. New findings are published in the January issue of Avian Research.

Zoothera salimalii is just the fourth new bird discovered in India since its independence in 1947.

"There are not too many new birds discovered in the world. Therefore, finding a new bird in India is a very interesting thing , " Per Alström added.