Olive Thrush

The Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus) is a robust bird, a common sight in the highlands of Africa. It boasts a length of 24 cm (9.4 in) and a weight tipping the scales at over 101 g (3.6 oz). Its plumage is a muted olive brown across the tail and upperparts, while the underparts are washed with an orange hue, and the belly remains a stark white. A distinctive feature is the throat, speckled with white spots, a detail that bird enthusiasts often seek out with their binoculars.

Identification Tips

When observing the Olive Thrush, look for the dull olive brown coloration of the upperparts, contrasting with the orange-tinted underparts and white belly. The white-speckled throat is a key identifier. Note that the subspecies may vary slightly in the balance of white, orange, and brown on their underparts.

Habitat

The Olive Thrush is a bird of the forest and woodland. It has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to human-altered landscapes and can often be found gracing the parks and large gardens within suburban areas.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the African highlands, from southern Malawi and Mozambique in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south.

Behaviour

The Olive Thrush is known for its nesting habits, with the female constructing a cup nest in a tree or hedge, often 2 to 9 m above the ground. The female also takes on the responsibility of incubating the 1 to 3 eggs, usually 2, for a period of 14 to 15 days until they hatch. The fledglings then take their first flight after another 16 days.

Song & Calls

The male Olive Thrush serenades the landscape with a varied song composed of fluted, whistled, and trilled phrases. This melody differs geographically and sometimes includes mimicry of other birds' calls.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Olive Thrush is quite diverse, including earthworms, insects, snails, fruits, and spiders. Its feeding habits play a role in the control of invertebrate populations and the dispersal of seeds.

Conservation status

The Olive Thrush is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This status reflects its wide distribution and presumably large population.