Song Thrush

Birds / Song Thrush

Information for Juniors

The Thrush is closely related to the blackbird and has many things in common.
Like the Blackbird they were introduced throughout the three main islands of New Zealand from 1867.
They are common in most habitats, except for native forest, preferring more urban habitats.
The thrush feeds on insects, snails, worms, slugs, and soft fruits.
The thrush is conspicuous with its habit of using an rock to break the shells of snails.
The female thrush usually builds her nest in a tree or shrub a few feet from the ground.
The nest is built of grass and sticks and lined with a plaster of decayed wood and grass cemented with saliva.
They lay four or five eggs at a time and raise up to three broods a year.
The eggs are blue-green speckled with black.
The male and female Thrush are alike in size and colouring.
They are brown on their backs, with buff white under parts that are spotted dark brown.
They have a yellowish bill, and pink legs.

Song Thrush Call

Information for Junior Secondary

The Thrush is closely related to the blackbird and has many things in common.
Like the Blackbird they were introduced throughout the three main islands of New Zealand between 1867 and 1880.
They are common in most habitats, except for native forest, preferring more urban habitats.
The thrush feeds on insects, snails, worms, slugs, and soft fruits.
The thrush is conspicuous with its habit of using a rock to break the shells of snails. Small heaps of broken shells may be found near a favoured rock.
The female thrush usually builds her nest in a tree or shrub a few feet from the ground.
The nest is built of grass and sticks and lined with a plaster of decayed wood and grass cemented with saliva.
They lay four or five eggs at a time and raise up to three broods a year.
The eggs are blue-green speckled with black.
The male and female Thrush are alike in size and colouring.
They are slightly smaller than Blackbirds, 23 cm long and weigh 70 grams.

Song Thrush Call

Information for Seniors

The Thrush is closely related to the blackbird and has many things in common.
Like the Blackbird they were introduced throughout the three main islands of New Zealand between 1867 and 1880.
They multiplied rapidly and within 60 years they had spread to many off shore islands as well as the Chatham Islands.
They are common in most habitats, except for native forest, preferring more urban habitats.
The thrush feeds on insects, snails, worms, slugs, and soft fruits. The thrush is conspicuous with its habit of using an anvil to break the shells of snails.
Small heaps of broken shells may be found near a favoured anvil.
The female thrush usually builds her nest in a tree or shrub a few feet from the ground.
The nest is built of grass and sticks and lined with a plaster of decayed wood and grass cemented with saliva.
They lay four or five eggs at a time and raise up to three broods a year.
The eggs are blue-green speckled with black.
The male and female Thrush are alike in size and colouring. They are slightly smaller than Blackbirds, 23 cm long and weigh 70 grams.
They are brown on their backs, with buff white under parts that are spotted dark brown. They have a yellowish bill, and pink legs.
Birds are monogamous i.e. they stay as couples for life.
They are not generally social birds but are solo and loosely associated.

Song Thrush Call

What is the Thrushes favourite food and from which trees?
Listen carefully to the song and describe it in detail. Is there any variation to the general song? Please explain.
What is the purpose of their call generally?
Draw the Thrush that clearly indicates that you have studied it in detail.
List 5 new facts that you have researched and find interesting.
Describe how a Thrush finds worms underground.