[Greg McKay]

I photographed this bird today in open forest in Central Victoria. When I photographed it I though it could be some kind of Robin but after checking my guides now doubt this. It was about the size of a common blackbird and had a melodic bell type call that consisted of 3 sharp whistles then a extremely quick double whistle. The 4 whistles were evenly spaced out.
Any ideas?

[pete woodall]

Hi Greg
How about a Grey Shrike Thrush?

[Greg McKay]

Thanks Pete
I've had a look at my guides and agree that is more than likely what it is. The white in front of the eye threw me.

[Tannin]

Grey Shrike-thrush, no question. They do look like robins from some angles (as do the whistlers, which are related to the shrike-thrushes), but are of course much larger. The Grey Shrike-thrush's call is very, very variable. As spring progresses, your thrush will call more and more, and add complexity and subtlety, winding up with one of the best calls in Australia, second only to the lyrebirds, and possibly to the Sandstone Shrike-thrush. Note that the actual notes of the call are a poor guide: they improvise and regional variations are common. The magnificent, mellow, fluid tone, however, is unmistakable. (Think clarinet, not flute or picallo.)