Song Thrush

1. Cream-colored breast with distinctive dark brown spots

2. Warm brown back and wings, contrasting with the speckled breast

3. Melodious song with repeated phrases, often heard from a high perch

Song Thrushes breed from August to February, building neat, mud-lined nests in trees or shrubs. They're known for their unique feeding habit of using a favorite stone as an "anvil" to crack open snail shells. While common in New Zealand, they face threats from introduced predators and habitat loss in some areas.

Look for Song Thrushes in a variety of habitats across New Zealand, from sea level up to about 800 meters. They're common in urban gardens, parks, farmlands, and the edges of native forests. Dawn and dusk are prime times to spot them foraging on the ground or hear their beautiful songs from treetops. Watch for their characteristic "stop-and-listen" behavior as they search for food on lawns. A helpful tip: follow their song to locate them perched high in trees or on power lines.