Song Thrush

The Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos, is a charming bird with a sturdy build. It measures between 20 to 23.5 centimeters in length and tips the scales at a modest 50 to 107 grams. Both sexes share a similar appearance, donning plain brown backs and black-spotted cream or yellow-buff underparts, which grow paler on the belly. The underwing exudes a warm yellow, complementing the yellowish bill and pink legs and feet.

Identification Tips

To identify the Song Thrush, look for its brown upper-parts and spotted underparts. The juvenile mirrors the adult but is distinguished by buff or orange streaks on the back and wing coverts. In flight, the red underwing is not visible, unlike in the similar Redwing. The Mistle Thrush is significantly larger and has white tail corners, setting it apart from the Song Thrush.

Habitat

The Song Thrush thrives in forests with rich undergrowth, gardens, parks, and, in the case of the Hebridean subspecies, even open heathland. It is also a common sight in areas with trees and bushes, such as parks and gardens, and can be found up to the tree-line in mountainous regions.

Distribution

This species has a breeding range that spans across the West Palearctic and extends to Lake Baikal in Russia. It is partially migratory, with many wintering in southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Song Thrush has also been introduced to New Zealand and Australia.

Behaviour

The Song Thrush is a solitary bird, though it may roost with others during winter. It is monogamous and territorial, with migratory individuals re-establishing territories upon return. The bird migrates at night in loose flocks, maintaining contact with frequent calls.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a series of loud, clear musical phrases, each repeated several times and interspersed with grating notes and mimicry. Calls include a short, sharp "tsip" and an alarm call of "chook-chook." The song is one of the loudest for the bird's size and can include a repertoire of over 100 phrases.

Breeding

The Song Thrush constructs a neat mud-lined cup nest in a bush or tree, laying four to five dark-spotted blue eggs. The female incubates the eggs and cares for the young, which fledge after about 10 to 17 days. Two or three broods per year are common.

Similar Species

The Redwing (Turdus iliacus) and the Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) are similar species, but the Redwing has a white supercilium and red flanks, while the Mistle Thrush is larger with white tail corners.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivore, the Song Thrush feeds on invertebrates, particularly earthworms and snails, as well as soft fruit and berries. It is known for using a stone "anvil" to break open snail shells.

Conservation Status

Globally, the Song Thrush is not considered threatened, holding a status of "Least Concern." However, there have been notable declines in European populations, possibly due to changes in farming practices affecting food availability and nesting sites.