The British song thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a medium-sized thrush, found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. It is a popular bird with birdwatchers, due to its attractive plumage and melodious song.
The song thrush is about 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) in length, with a wingspan of 32–35 cm (12.6–13.8 in). The adult male has a brown back and wings, with a grey head and neck. The underparts are buff-white, with dark spots. The female is similar, but has a paler head and neck.
Song thrushes are omnivores, and their diet consists of insects, worms, berries and fruit. They forage on the ground, but also take food from trees and bushes.
Song thrushes are monogamous birds, and the male and female work together to build a nest. The nest is usually built in a tree or bush, and is made of twigs, leaves and grass. The female lays 3–5 eggs, which she incubates for about 12 days. The male helps to feed the young birds, which fledge from the nest after about 13 days.
Song thrushes are migratory birds, and they winter in southern Europe and North Africa. They return to the British Isles to breed in the spring.
Habitat and distribution
The song thrush is a common bird in the British Isles, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodland, hedgerows, gardens and parks. It is particularly fond of areas with a mixture of trees and bushes, and with a good supply of food.
The song thrush is also found in other parts of Europe, as well as in North Africa and Asia.
Diet
Song thrushes are omnivores, and their diet consists of insects, worms, berries and fruit. They forage on the ground, but also take food from trees and bushes.
Some of the insects that song thrushes eat include beetles, caterpillars, snails and slugs. They also eat earthworms and spiders.
The berries and fruit that song thrushes eat include blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cherries.
Breeding
Song thrushes are monogamous birds, and the male and female work together to build a nest. The nest is usually built in a tree or bush, and is made of twigs, leaves and grass. The female lays 3–5 eggs, which she incubates for about 12 days. The male helps to feed the young birds, which fledge from the nest after about 13 days.
The breeding season for song thrushes runs from April to July.
Conservation
The song thrush is a common bird in the British Isles, but its population has declined in recent years. This is thought to be due to a number of factors, including habitat loss, competition from other species and climate change.
Song thrushes are protected by law in the United Kingdom. It is illegal to kill, injure or take song thrushes, or to destroy their nests or eggs.
How to help song thrushes
There are a number of things that people can do to help song thrushes, including:
Providing them with suitable habitat. This could include planting trees and shrubs in your garden, or leaving areas of unmown grass.
Providing them with food. This could include putting out bird feeders with berries, fruit and insects.
Avoiding using pesticides in your garden. Pesticides can kill the insects that song thrushes eat.
Creating a bird-friendly garden. This could include providing nesting boxes, birdbaths and water features.
By taking these steps, you can help to support song thrushes and other birds in your local area.
The song thrush in culture
The song thrush is a popular bird in British culture, and it has been featured in many poems, songs and stories.
One of the most famous poems about the song thrush is "The Thrush" by William Wordsworth. In this poem, Wordsworth describes the song of the thrush as being "a voice so sweet, that you must think it is / The very music of the morning world."
Another famous poem about the song thrush is "To a Nightingale" by John Keats. In this poem, Keats compares the song of the nightingale to the song of the song thrush, and he says that the song thrush's song is "the sweetest sound / That ever fell on mortal ear."
The song thrush has also been featured in many songs, including "The Lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughan Williams and "The Thrush Must Wait" by David Bowie.
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