2016-2-19

English

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/sweet-song-gives-away-new-bird-species/

That, of course, is the sound of the Himalayan forest thrush(画眉). And that sound was a clue to field researchers that they might have a new species of bird on their hands. Even though it was in the bush(n. 灌木；矮树丛). You know what I mean.

You see, the Himalayan forest thrush looks a great deal like another well-known bird called the alpine thrush. They’re both found in northeastern India and nearby parts of China. But the alpine thrush has a raspy(dj. 刺耳的；易怒的；粗糙的) song compared with the more mellifluous（adj. 流畅的） Himalayan forest thrush.

One of the researchers, Shashank Dalvi of India’s National Centre for Biological Sciences and the Wildlife Conservation Society, likened(把…比作) the two different birds to Rod Stewart versus Adele.

Further analyses, including of the birds’ DNA, confirmed that the song differences were indicative of（暗示了） these birds indeed belonging to two separate species. The finding is in the journal Avian Research. [Per Alström et al, Integrative taxonomy of the Plain-backed Thrush (Zoothera mollissima) complex (Aves, Turdidae) reveals cryptic species, including a new species]

The discovery of a new bird species is relatively rare. Since the year 2000, ornithologists（n. 鸟类学者） have found five new species annually on average, mostly in South America. So this newly characterized thrush—only the fourth new species found in India since it became independent in 1947—should send birdwatchers from all over the world flocking(群集). I mean, it’s a sound discovery.