Song thrush

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Turdus philomelos -New Zealand -nest-8 (4)

Song thrush (Turdus philomelos philomelos)

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) in flight

Turdus philomelos -New Zealand -juvenile-8

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2007.07.03 juvenile song thrush Dombaih, Russia 108 cc

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a species of bird in the thrush family, Turdidae. It is a widespread and common species throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia. The Song Thrush is known for its beautiful singing voice, which has made it a popular figure in poetry and music.

Description

The Song Thrush is a small, brown bird, with a length of 20-23 cm and a wingspan of 33-36 cm. It has a distinctive speckled breast, with dark brown spots on a lighter background. The upperparts are brown, while the underparts are cream or white with black spots. Juveniles are similar to adults but have more pronounced spotting.

Habitat

Song Thrushes are versatile in their habitat preferences, thriving in forests, gardens, parks, and shrublands. They require dense vegetation for nesting and open areas for foraging. Their adaptability has allowed them to become common in urban and suburban areas.

Diet

The diet of the Song Thrush primarily consists of invertebrates, such as earthworms, snails, and insects. They are particularly known for their method of feeding on snails by using a stone as an 'anvil' to break the snail's shell. They also consume fruit and berries, especially in winter.

Reproduction

Song Thrushes breed in the spring and early summer. They are monogamous and both parents participate in raising the offspring. The female builds a cup-shaped nest in a bush or tree, where she lays 3-5 blue or greenish eggs with reddish spots. The eggs hatch after about two weeks, and the chicks fledge another 14-15 days later.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List currently lists the Song Thrush as Least Concern (LC). However, in some areas, populations have declined due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and predation by domestic cats. Conservation efforts are focused on preserving their habitats and controlling non-native predators.

Cultural Significance

The Song Thrush has been celebrated in literature and music for centuries, admired for its melodious song. It has inspired poets such as Robert Browning and Thomas Hardy, and its song features in the works of classical composers including Ludwig van Beethoven.

See Also

• Thrush
• Bird migration
• Conservation status