From Opus

Photo by Juninho

Turdus philomelos

[edit] Identification

22–23 cm

• Plain brown back
• Spotted underparts (arrow-shaped)
• Buffish breast
  

Sexes are similar

[edit] Similar Species

Photo by spock
Norfolk, February 2010

Mistle Thrush has greyer upperparts and the spots are round. Female Eurasian Blackbirds is larger and much darker brown.

[edit] Distribution

Found throughout Europe south of the Arctic circle, except Iberia.

They have been introduced to many parts of the world, including New Zealand {where they are common and widespread) and Australia where a small population survives around Melbourne.

Most of the birds winter further south, although some western populations are resident.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

There are 4 subspecies:

• T. p. hebridensis:

• Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye

• T. p. clarkei:

• British Isles and western Europe; winters to northern Mediterranean basin

• 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

[edit] Habitat

Woods, hedges, gardens, tends to avoid wide open spaces.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Vocalisation

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

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Animal Corner
3. Bird Watching
4. BF Member observations

• List of references

[edit] External Links