The blacksmith thrush or eastern slaty thrush is a passerine bird belonging to the genus Turdus in the thrush family, Turdidae. It is native to eastern South America. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Andean slaty thrush, with the combined species known as slaty thrush.
Region
Eastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Brazil into Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina, chiefly within the Atlantic Forest and adjacent woodlands. It uses humid evergreen and Araucaria forests, secondary growth, forest edges, and riparian corridors. During the austral winter some birds disperse or move northward to milder, fruit-rich areas. It adapts to semi-urban parks with mature trees where understory cover persists.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the eastern slaty thrush, it was once lumped with the Andean slaty thrush under the name slaty thrush. Its call has a sharp, metallic quality often likened to a blacksmith’s hammer, which inspired the common name. In flight it shows a distinctive pale underwing patch. It undertakes short to medium-distance austral migrations within eastern South America.
Temperament
shy and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low perches
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, becoming more tolerant around fruiting trees. Builds a cup-shaped nest of twigs and fibers placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Clutches usually contain 2–3 eggs, and both parents feed the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song features clear, metallic notes and short phrases often repeated, reminiscent of a hammer striking metal. Calls include sharp, ringing ‘tink’ notes given from shaded perches, especially at dawn.
