Song thrush
| Song Thrush | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Songthrush.JPG | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Turdus philomelos Brehm, 1831 |
The Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos, is a common European member of the thrush family Turdidae.
It is commonly found in well-vegetated woods and gardens over all of Europe south of the Arctic circle, except Iberia. Many birds move south during the winter, although some western populations are resident. This species has also been introduced in other parts of the world.
Song Thrushes are omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, worms, snails and berries. They often use a favourite stone as an "anvil" to smash snail shells against.They nest in bushes or similar, laying several eggs in a neat cup-shaped nest lined with clay.
They do not form flocks, although several birds may be loosely associated in suitable habitat.
Song Thrushes are smaller than Blackbirds, Turdus merula. Sexes are similar, with plain brown backs and neatly spotted underparts. The breast is washed with buff.
The male sings its loud song from trees, rooftops or other elevated perches. The song contains characteristic repetitions of melodic phrases, as described by Robert Browning in the poem Home Thoughts, from Abroad–
Hark, where my blossom'd pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge—
That 's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!