Self Isolating , Species 4 - Song Thrush

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Facts & Figures:

Population in 1970: 3.5 million

Population in 2019: 1.3 million

Change in Population: - 2.2 million

Percentage change: -37.14%

Length: 23 cm

Oldest: 10 years 8 months

Eggs: 3-5

Broods: 2-4

Song Thrush

Although there are still over one million Song Thrushes in the UK, in 1970 there were an estimated 3.5 million, so there has been a catastrophic drop in numbers.  There are probably a number of factors behind this fall including climate change, use of insecticides, pesticides and herbicides, but there is a theory that slug pellets could be another reason.  It is well known that Song Thrushes bash snails on a favoured “anvil”, usually a large stone or boulder to get to the flesh inside.  With the abundance of slug pellets which are also eaten by snails, poisons build up in the bodies of snails, and these could transfer to Song Thrushes.  I don’t believe it has been proved scientifically, but the theory goes that their eggshells become extremely fragile, and this affects the success of the nesting attempt.

Song Thrush

The Song Thrush has declined even more sharply in farmland, and this cannot be blamed on slug pellets.  It’s believed that 

Song Thrush

Song Thrushes gain their name from the incredible power of their song.  Each clear note is repeated several times, and then they sing a different phrase, which is then repeated several times. Browning while ‘trapped’ in Europe said: “that’s the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over/Lest you should think he never could recapture/The first fine careless rapture!”  (Home Thoughts from Abroad).  In British folklore one of the old names for this bird was Mavis.  It is believed that this derives from the French word mauvis, and it may be of Celtic origin. Chaucer referred to is as mavis, whilst Shakespeare used mavis and throstle interchangeably.

Song Thrush

Song Thrushes are also one of the last birds to sing in an evening when most of the other birds have already gone quiet.   Then, at the right time of the year, and in the south-east of England they go quiet as darkness finally falls, and are replaced by the Nightingales which sing during the night.

Song Thrush

The Song Thrush is smaller than both the Blackbird and the Mistle Thrush, but it is larger than the darker Redwing.  Redwings are superficially similar, but they have a pale cream supercilium above the eye, and the red colour on the flank.  Song Thrushes are a richer brown on the back than Mistle Thrushes, and their spots appear more regular, and they usually have a faint yellow wash around their throat which extends to their breast and along the flank.  

Bringing Back Food to the Nest

If slug pellets are banned, and the use of herbicides, pesticides and insecticides are curtailed, I suppose there is still hope for this species.

A video taken a couple of days ago behind the church featuring the song of this bird may be seen here: 

The BTO comparison video between Mistle and Song Theushes May be viewed here.

An audio file from the RSPB may be found at this link