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Field Guide
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Song Thrush

Turdus philomelos

Not yet photographed by the community

Famous for singing the same phrase three times in succession.

Species Profile

Amber List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern) due to population declines since the 1990s
Lifespan
4–5 years in the wild, with some individuals reaching 10+ years
Size & Weight
20–21 cm, wingspan 33–36 cm; 60–90 g
Habitat
Woodlands, farmland, parks, gardens, and hedgerows with open ground for foraging and dense vegetation for nesting.
UK Distribution
Found throughout the UK as a summer breeding visitor from March to October, with some individuals overwintering; populations supplemented by continental migrants in winter.
Diet
Primarily earthworms and other invertebrates including snails, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders; also berries and fruit in autumn and winter.
Prey
Earthworms, snails, insects, beetles, caterpillars, spiders
Predators
Sparrowhawks, Eurasian jays, cats, corvids, and occasionally other raptors
Mating Season
April to July
Breeding
Clutch size 3–5 eggs, incubation period 10–14 days, fledging at 10–14 days; typically raises 2–3 broods per season
Behaviour
Song thrushes are territorial and renowned for their loud, melodious song delivered from prominent perches, particularly at dawn and dusk. They are characteristically solitary outside the breeding season and employ a distinctive anvil-foraging technique, using rocks or logs to crack open snail shells. They are relatively shy and skulking compared to blackbirds, preferring to remain within or close to cover.
Did You Know?
  • •The song thrush's scientific name Turdus philomelos means 'lover of song,' reflecting its exceptional vocal abilities
  • •Individual song phrases are typically repeated 2–4 times before moving to the next phrase, creating a recognisable pattern
  • •Their population has declined by approximately 50% since the 1990s, likely due to loss of hedgerows, pesticide use reducing invertebrate availability, and milder winters allowing predators to remain active
  • •The anvil-foraging behaviour leaves characteristic piles of broken snail shells, often found in gardens and woodlands
  • •In continental Europe, song thrushes are legally hunted in some countries, though UK populations are fully protected

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