Bassian Thrush

Did you know?

If a Bassian Thrush is disturbed it often runs a short distance and then freezes, relying for defence on the camouflage of its mottled plumage against the leaf-litter of the forest floor.

Calls
The Bassian Thrush can be heard mainly at dawn or in dull weather, its song being three notes: the first steady, the second rising briefly, and the third steady.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
27cm
Maximum Size: 
29cm
Average size: 
28cm
Average weight: 
100g
Breeding season: 
June to February, also recorded in April
Clutch Size: 
Two to three.
Incubation: 
14 days
Nestling Period: 
14 days
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Atlas Number: 
779
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Bassian Thrush is a secretive bird. Its plumage is mottled brown to olive-brown, heavily scalloped with black crescent-shaped bars on the back, rump and head. The paler underparts all have brown-black scalloping. It has a white eye-ring. In flight the Bassian Thrush shows a broad dark diagonal bar across the white underside of its wing. This species has also been referred to as White's Thrush, Ground Thrush, and Scaly Thrush.

Similar species: 

The Bassian Thrush is very similar to the Russet-tailed Thrush, Z. heinei. The latter has slightly brighter rufous upper parts. The tail of the Bassian Thrush is slightly longer.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Bassian Thrush is found predominantly around the south-east of Australia, and also in the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland.

Habitat: 

Damp, densely forested areas and gullies are favoured by the Bassian Thrush, usually with a thick canopy overhead and leaf-litter below.

Seasonal movements: 

Resident, probably sedentary.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Bassian Thrush feeds on the ground, scratching under the leaf-litter for small invertebrates.

Breeding: 

The Bassian Thrush builds a large, deep, cup-shaped nest in a major tree fork or in a depression on top of a stump. The nest may be quite low or up to about 15 m above the ground. Both parents care for the young.

Living with us

The Bassian Thrush is adversely affected by clearing of densely vegetated habitats.

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