The Song Thrush (Turdos philomelos) is a small bird in the Turdidae family of thrushes. It is closely related to the Mistle Thrush.
The Song Thrush has brown upperparts and black-spotted cream or buff underparts. Its underwing is yellowish. It has a rounded head with dark-brown eyes. Its legs and feet are brown.
It grows to about 23 centimetres (9 inches) tall.
It is common in Europe. It is a partially-migratory bird. It flies south during winter to warmer locations, such as southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is an introduced species in Australia and New Zealand, where it is found in small numbers.
It prefers woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens.
It is omnivorous, eating insects, earthworms, snails, berries, fruit, grains, and seeds. It feeds on the ground.
The Song Thrush has many songs and calls. It often mimics the songs of other birds.
It forms a monogamous pairing for life. The female makes a cup-shaped nest, from dried grass, mud and moss, in a tree, bush, or among rocks. She lays 4-5 eggs and sits on them (incubates them) until they hatch after 10-17 days.
The young, called chicks, are born blind, featherless, and helpless. This is called altricial. Both parents feed the chicks. The chicks leave the nest after about 14 days.
The average lifespan of the Song Thrush is 3 years.
Location of photograph: Adelaide, Australia
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM