• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Song Thrush" - BirdForum Opus

Page Discussion
View source History
(→‎External Links: New Video search created)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
[[Image:Song_Thrush.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Juninho|Juninho}}<br />Saltburn Woods, Cleveland, North [[Yorkshire]], [[UK]],  22 April 2004]]
 
;[[:Category:Turdus|Turdus]] philomelos
 
;[[:Category:Turdus|Turdus]] philomelos
 +
==Identification==
 +
[[Image:Song Thrush75.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|peterow|peterow}}<br />Clifton village, [[Lancashire]], July 2018]]
 +
Length 20–23 cm (7¾-9 in), weight 50-107 g<br />
 +
'''Adult''': sexes similar
 +
*Plain brown back and wings, except for small buff tips to greater and median [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]]
 +
*Underparts buffish with numerous dark brown triangular or slightly arrow-shaped spots
 +
*Underwing close to body orange-buff<br />
 +
'''Juvenile''':
 +
*As adult but lightly streaked / spotted above, with larger buff tips to greater and median coverts
 +
====Similar Species====
 +
[[Image:A forman 389.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|spock|spock}}<br />[[Norfolk]], February 2010]]
 +
[[Mistle Thrush]] is obviously larger, has greyer upperparts and the spots are round. Female [[Eurasian Blackbird]]s is slightly larger and much darker brown. [[Redwing]] is similar size, and has prominent white supercilium, and red underwing. [[Chinese Thrush]] is very similar, differing only in slightly more prominent vertical bars on face and larger breast spots, but does not overlap in range.
 +
==Distribution==
 +
Breeds throughout [[Europe]] south of about 70°N, but only at high altitudes in the [[Mediterranean]] region; also western [[Asia]] east to Lake Baikal in central [[Siberia]], and the [[Caucasus]] and [[Alborz]] mountains of [[Iran]] in southwest Asia.
  
−
[[Image:Song_Thrush.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Juninho]]
+
Most of the birds winter further south and southwest (south to northern [[Africa]]), though populations in western and southern Europe are partly resident. In [[Britain]], most of the breeding population (''T. p. clarkei'') leaves for the coldest parts of winter for [[France]] and [[Spain]], but some (around 20%, mainly males) remain through the winter, with the rest returning in February-March; many nominate ''T. p. philomelos'' (often distinguishable by their slightly greyer plumage) also arrive in autumn from [[Scandinavia]] in late September to early October, some remaining to winter, others moving on to France and beyond.
−
 
 
−
==Identification==
 
−
Song Thrushes, at about 22–23 cm long and 70–90 g in weight, are smaller than [[Blackbird]]s, ''Turdus merula''. Sexes are similar, with plain brown backs and neatly spotted underparts. The breast is washed with buff.
 
  
−
==Distribution==
+
A vagrant in [[Iceland]] (annual), [[Svalbard]], the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]], and [[Mauritania]].
−
It is commonly found in well-vegetated woods and gardens over all of [[Europe]] south of the Arctic circle, except Iberia. They have also been introduced to [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]]. They are common and widespread in [[New Zealand]] however in [[Australia]] only a small population around Melbourne survives from the original introduction in the mid-19th century. Many birds move south during the winter, although some western populations are resident. This species has also been introduced in other parts of the world.
 
  
 +
The species has been introduced to [[New Zealand]], where it is common and widespread, and [[Australia]], where a small population survives around Melbourne.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 +
Most closely related to the [[Chinese Thrush]] of central China.
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
There are 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 +
*''T. p. hebridensis'':
 +
:*[[Outer Hebrides]] and [[Isle of Skye]]; resident, or wintering in [[Ireland]]. Slightly darker than ''T. p. clarkei''.
 +
*''T. p. clarkei'':
 +
:*[[British Isles]] and western [[Europe]]; winters to northern Mediterranean basin. Slightly warmer brown than ''T. p. philomelos''.
 +
*''T. p. philomelos'':
 +
:*Northern and eastern [[Europe]] to central [[Asia]]; winters to north [[Africa]] and [[Iran]].
 +
*''T. p. nataliae'':
 +
:*Sayan Mountains to Lake Baikal and northern [[Iran]]; winters to southern [[Iran]]. Marginally paler than ''T. p. philomelos''.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
−
Woods, hedges, gardens, tends to avoid wide open spaces.
+
Woods, hedges, gardens. Unlike [[Mistle Thrush]] tends to avoid wide open spaces, though wintering birds are common in sand dune systems with little more than marram grass cover.
−
 
 
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
They do not form flocks, although several birds may be loosely associated in suitable habitat.  Often rather tame.
+
They do not form flocks, although several birds may be seen together where there is suitable habitat, especially in the winter.  They often appear to be rather tame.
 +
====Breeding====
 +
The twiggy nest is lined with moss or grass. The clutch consists of 3 to 5 blue eggs with dark spots. They are incubated for 14-15 days, fledging after a further 2 weeks. There may be 3 broods in the season which lasts from March to July.
 +
====Diet====
 +
The diet consists of snails, insects, worms, fruit and berries. To eat the snails, they find a suitable stone which is used as an "anvil" to smash the shell.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
'''Song''': very loud, consisting of short phrases repeated 2-4 times.
 +
{{ Audio|Turdus philomelos (song).mp3 }}
  
−
Song: very loud, consisting of short phrases repeated 2-4 times.
+
==References==
−
 
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#Animal Corner
−
Breeds: lush woodland, parks and well-vegetated gardens. 
+
#Bird Watching
−
 
+
#BF Member observations
−
Diet: snails, insects, Worms, Fruit, Berries. They often use a favourite stone as an "anvil" to smash snail shells against.
+
{{ref}}
−
 
+
==External Links==
−
Nesting:  in bushes or hedges, laying four or five eggs (bright glossy blue with black spots) in a neat cup-shaped nest lined with clay. The female incubates for about 14 days; the young fledge in about the same time. Song Thrushes may raise two or three broods in a year.
+
{{GSearch|"Turdus philomelos" {{!}} "Song Thrush"}}
 +
<br />
 +
{{VSearch|"Turdus philomelos" {{!}} "Song Thrush"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
  
−
==Bird Song==
 
−
<flashmp3>Turdus philomelos (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
−
''[[Media:Turdus philomelos (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
−
 
−
==External Links==
 
−
{{GSearch|Turdus+philomelos}}
 
  
−
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Turdus]]
+
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Turdus]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 19:36, 14 February 2023

Photo © by Juninho
Saltburn Woods, Cleveland, North Yorkshire, UK, 22 April 2004
Turdus philomelos

Identification

Juvenile
Photo © by peterow
Clifton village, Lancashire, July 2018

Length 20–23 cm (7¾-9 in), weight 50-107 g
Adult: sexes similar

  • Plain brown back and wings, except for small buff tips to greater and median coverts
  • Underparts buffish with numerous dark brown triangular or slightly arrow-shaped spots
  • Underwing close to body orange-buff

Juvenile:

  • As adult but lightly streaked / spotted above, with larger buff tips to greater and median coverts

Similar Species

Photo © by spock
Norfolk, February 2010

Mistle Thrush is obviously larger, has greyer upperparts and the spots are round. Female Eurasian Blackbirds is slightly larger and much darker brown. Redwing is similar size, and has prominent white supercilium, and red underwing. Chinese Thrush is very similar, differing only in slightly more prominent vertical bars on face and larger breast spots, but does not overlap in range.

Distribution

Breeds throughout Europe south of about 70°N, but only at high altitudes in the Mediterranean region; also western Asia east to Lake Baikal in central Siberia, and the Caucasus and Alborz mountains of Iran in southwest Asia.

Most of the birds winter further south and southwest (south to northern Africa), though populations in western and southern Europe are partly resident. In Britain, most of the breeding population (T. p. clarkei) leaves for the coldest parts of winter for France and Spain, but some (around 20%, mainly males) remain through the winter, with the rest returning in February-March; many nominate T. p. philomelos (often distinguishable by their slightly greyer plumage) also arrive in autumn from Scandinavia in late September to early October, some remaining to winter, others moving on to France and beyond.

A vagrant in Iceland (annual), Svalbard, the Azores, Madeira, and Mauritania.

The species has been introduced to New Zealand, where it is common and widespread, and Australia, where a small population survives around Melbourne.

Taxonomy

Most closely related to the Chinese Thrush of central China.

Subspecies

There are 4 subspecies[1]:

  • T. p. hebridensis:
  • T. p. clarkei:
  • British Isles and western Europe; winters to northern Mediterranean basin. Slightly warmer brown than T. p. philomelos.
  • T. p. philomelos:
  • T. p. nataliae:
  • Sayan Mountains to Lake Baikal and northern Iran; winters to southern Iran. Marginally paler than T. p. philomelos.

Habitat

Woods, hedges, gardens. Unlike Mistle Thrush tends to avoid wide open spaces, though wintering birds are common in sand dune systems with little more than marram grass cover.

Behaviour

They do not form flocks, although several birds may be seen together where there is suitable habitat, especially in the winter. They often appear to be rather tame.

Breeding

The twiggy nest is lined with moss or grass. The clutch consists of 3 to 5 blue eggs with dark spots. They are incubated for 14-15 days, fledging after a further 2 weeks. There may be 3 broods in the season which lasts from March to July.

Diet

The diet consists of snails, insects, worms, fruit and berries. To eat the snails, they find a suitable stone which is used as an "anvil" to smash the shell.

Vocalisation

Song: very loud, consisting of short phrases repeated 2-4 times.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Animal Corner
  3. Bird Watching
  4. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Song_Thrush&oldid=262862’
Back
Top