#755: Thrush

The Thrush are medium-sized songbirds of the Family Turdidae. Many species, like this Song Thrush, have a speckled belly, but this Family also includes the American Robin (named such for his red breast), the Blackbird and the Ouzel. The Blackbird and the Song Thrush are English in origin, but have been introduced to New Zealand, where they are a common sight in urban gardens. Thrush follow an insectivorous or omnivorous diet. The Song Thrush is particularly fond of snails, and will often use a favourite stone as an "anvil" to crack open the shells. He will also rummage through leaf litter in search of worms and insect prey.