Birds of Ireland: Song Thrush

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) smashing snails on a rock

• Song Thrush (Smólach/Turdus philomelos)
• 21-23 cm in length with a wingspan of 34cm

Song thrushes can be seen here all year round and typically in woodland, farmland, and gardens across the country.

They are slightly smaller / less robust than a blackbird. Song thrushes have long ping legs, and small sharp beaks which look up-tilted.

Song Thrushes.

Song thrushes of all ages have warm brown coloured upper parts and a pale buff breast, with a white belly and conspicuous black v-shaped spots forming lines which are thinnest on the throat/upper breast, and thickest with largest spots on flanks/belly. 

In flight their dark/unmarked upper parts and their pale buff-orange underwing coverts are visible. On open ground they often make short dashes. 

A song thrush's call is a loud thick, repeated several times quickly. The song, delivered from a high perch, roof, or satellite dish, is similar to that of a blackbird — but more musical/structured, containing short phrases repeated clearly two to four times. 

Tip of the week: 

When identifying birds it is important to note what the bird is doing. 

Is it wagging its tail all the time?  Is its stance upright or almost horizontal?Is it always on the ground or in the bushes? Is its flight fast and straight like a wren or undulating like a finch? Does it fly close to the ground or high in the air? 

Does it stay out in the open or hide deep in a bush most of the time? Is it calling continuously? Is it singing out in the open or out of sight?

Recording this info can be very important when identifying a bird. 

Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody

Featured in Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide, (Gill Books) by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody. 

Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects.

Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney.