The Samoan island thrush (Turdus samoensis) is a species of passerine bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is endemic to the Samoan Islands, which includes Samoa and American Samoa. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the island thrush, but in 2024 the island thrush complex was split into 17 different species by the IOC and Clements checklist based on morphological and phylogenic differences.[1] [2]
The Samoan island thrush was first described by clergyman and zoological collector Henry Baker Tristram in 1879 as Turdus samoensis.[3] For a long time afterwards it was considered a subspecies of island thrush. However following a phylogenetic study in 2023, and with consideration to morphological differences between subspecies, the Samoan island thrush is now treated as a distinct species.[4] The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[5]