Habitat
In Britain and Ireland common in parks, gardens and woodlands, in Scandinavia and
eastwards found in most types of woodlands, especially in damp, mossy coniferous or mixed
forest with rich undergrowth.
Geographical spread
Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Albania and USSR.
Status
Red-listed by the RSPB and Nature Conservancy Council in Britain.
Size
23cm, wing-span 33-36cm.
Average life expectancy
Oldest ringed bird 13 years and 9 months (Rydzewski 1958).
Normal diet
Feeds on wide range on invertebrates, such as earthworms and snails. Uses
stones to crack open snail shells. Also eats fruit from late summer to winter.
Normal lifestyle
Mostly resident, part northern populations are partially or entirely migratory.
Many Song thrushes breeding in Britain and Ireland winter in north-west France, northern Spain
and Portugal. Outside breeding season mainly solitary but may occur in loose aggregations.
Monogamous during the breeding season. Nests are lined with dead grasses over a layer of
mud.
Reasons for decline
As for the Spotted flycatcher and Skylark, changes in farming, pesticides
etc. The British population of Song thrushes is down over the last 25 years by 73%.
Conservation projects
Covered by the 'Save Our Skylark' campaign.
File last modified Thursday, October 3, 1996