They were traditionally listed in the Zoothera, but molecular phylogenetic studies published in 2008 led to their placement in a separate genus.

The genus Geokichla was introduced in 1836 by the German naturalist Salomon Müller with Turdus citrinus Latham, 1790, the orange-headed thrush, as the type species.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis by Gary Voelker and collaborators published in 2008 found that Zoothera was polyphyletic.

[6][7] To create monophyletic genera 21 species were moved from Zoothera to the resurrected genus Geokichla.

[8] The genus contains the following 21 species:[8] A subfossil specimen of a ground thrush has been found on the island of Mauritius:[9]