Dusky Thrush

The dusky thrush, Turdus eunomus, is a medium-sized, stocky member of the thrush family. It is characterized by its dark brown back and rump, with a contrasting pale supercilium and reddish-brown underwing. The face, breast, and flank spots are black, while the belly and undertail coverts are white.

Identification Tips

When identifying the dusky thrush, look for the black face, breast, and flank spots, which are key distinguishing features. The reddish-brown underwing is also a helpful characteristic. Males and females are fairly similar in appearance, though immatures exhibit a weaker patterning.

Habitat

This species prefers open woodland areas and is more tolerant of mountainous and tundra-edge habitats compared to its relative, Naumann's thrush.

Distribution

The dusky thrush breeds from central Siberia to Kamchatka and migrates south to winter in Japan, South China, and Myanmar. It is a rare vagrant to western Europe, with notable sightings drawing birdwatchers, such as one in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, in December 2016.

Behaviour

The dusky thrush is a strongly migratory bird. It nests in trees and lays 3-5 eggs in an untidy but neatly lined nest. During migration and in its wintering grounds, it often forms small flocks.

Song & Calls

The male dusky thrush produces a simple fluted or whistling song, reminiscent of the redwing's call. There are indications that the songs of the dusky and Naumann's thrushes differ, though this is not well documented.

Breeding

Breeding in trees, the dusky thrush constructs an untidy yet neatly lined nest where it lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the dusky thrush consumes a wide range of insects, with a particular fondness for mosquitoes, as well as earthworms and various berries.

Conservation status

The dusky thrush is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.