The black-throated thrush is a passerine bird in the thrush family. It is sometimes regarded as one subspecies of a polytypic species, "dark-throated thrush", red-throated thrush then being the other subspecies. More recent treatments regard the two as separate species.
Region
Central and Northern Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in open taiga, birch and willow woodland, and forest-edge habitats across western and central Siberia. During winter it disperses to Iran, the Middle East, northern Pakistan and India, and parts of Central Asia, frequenting orchards, parks, and riverine thickets. It favors mosaic habitats with scattered trees, shrubby edges, and nearby open ground for foraging. Vagrants reach Europe, especially in late autumn and winter. In wintering areas it readily exploits fruiting trees in rural settlements.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This thrush breeds across the taiga and forest-steppe of Siberia and migrates to Southwest and South Asia in winter. Adult males show a striking black throat patch, while females are duller with mottling and only a dusky throat. It forms part of the dark-throated thrush complex and can hybridize with the red-throated thrush. It is a regular vagrant to Europe, often appearing at fruiting trees in winter.
Temperament
wary and alert; more social in winter
Flight Pattern
direct flight with steady, purposeful wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose pairs or small neighborhoods, placing a cup nest in trees or tall shrubs. Clutch typically 3–5 pale blue eggs, with both parents involved in care. Outside the breeding season it often joins mixed-species thrush flocks at fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a subdued, simple warble delivered in short phrases with pauses, less rich than many other Turdus thrushes. Calls include a sharp, dry 'chak' and thin 'tseep' contact notes, often given in flight.
Plumage
Cold grey-brown above and mostly white below; adult males have a sharply defined black throat and upper breast, contrasting with pale underparts. Females and immatures are duller with a mottled or streaked throat and chest, and fine flank streaking. Tail and wings are dark with pale fringes; bill yellowish with darker tip.
Diet
In the breeding season it feeds chiefly on insects, spiders, and earthworms taken from the ground and low vegetation. In autumn and winter it switches heavily to fruits and berries such as rowan, juniper, and buckthorn. It also takes beetles and other invertebrates from dung or freshly turned soil.
Preferred Environment
Forages on open ground near woodland edges, riverine thickets, orchards, and parks. In winter it frequents fruiting trees and hedgerows in villages and gardens, as well as scrubby steppe margins.
