Song Thrush
As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day on the 11th of July – Species no. 14.
Stay tuned – 29 more days and 29 more species until then!
The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a medium-sized thrush with a length of 20-23.5 cm and a wingspan of 33-36 cm. It has brown upperparts and cream or buff underparts heavily marked with brown arrow-like speckles that appear to point upwards. The bird is known for its distinctive and penetrating song, characterised by repeated and varied musical phrases, often heard in early morning and late evening.
Song Thrushes inhabit a range of environments, including woodlands, gardens, parks, and farmland with hedges and taller trees. They are primarily insectivorous, feeding on worms, snails, and other invertebrates, often using a favourite stone as an anvil to break open their shells. They also eat fruits and berries, especially during the winter months.
Song Thrushes breed from March to July, with females building cup-shaped nests low in trees or bushes. These nests have an interior made of smooth mud and are supported by dry plant stems, all of which is held together by saliva.
They lay clutches of 3-6 bright blue, spotted eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks. The chicks fledge approximately two weeks after hatching and are fed by both parents.
Although widespread, Song Thrush populations have declined in some areas due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their habitats and providing food sources throughout the year. Hence, maintaining our gardens in as natural a way as possible with plenty of native plants, especially maintaining dense hedges can really help.
