The Siberian thrush is a member of the thrush family, Turdidae. The genus name Geokichla comes from Ancient Greek geo-, "ground-" and kikhle, " thrush". The specific sibirica is Latin for Siberia.
Region
Northern Asia (breeding) and Southeast Asia (wintering)
Typical Environment
Breeds across the Siberian taiga from the Urals to the Russian Far East in dense coniferous and mixed forests with thick understory, often near streams. During migration it passes through Northeast China, Korea, and Japan, and winters in evergreen and moist broadleaf forests of Southeast Asia. Wintering range includes parts of southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Malay Peninsula, with some reaching Sumatra and Borneo. It is a scarce but regular migrant and a rare vagrant to Europe and the Middle East.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive forest thrush, it breeds in the Siberian taiga and undertakes long migrations to winter in Southeast Asia. Males are strikingly dark slate-blue with a bold white eyebrow, while females are brown and heavily scaled with a buff supercilium. It often forages quietly on the forest floor, flicking leaves to uncover prey. Formerly placed in Zoothera, it is now commonly treated in the genus Geokichla.
Siberian Thrush
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
strong, low and direct flight through forest
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs during breeding, defending well-concealed territories. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or small trees, sometimes on the ground, with clutches typically of 3–5 eggs. Outside the breeding season it may join mixed-species flocks but often remains inconspicuous in dense cover.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A soft, melancholy series of clear whistles delivered from a concealed perch high in the forest canopy. Calls include thin tseep notes and sharper tik contact calls, especially during migration.
Plumage
Male is dark slate-blue above and below with a strong white supercilium; female is warm brown with heavy scaling on underparts and a buff supercilium. Both sexes show white undertail coverts contrasting with darker tail and body. Plumage is sleek with subtle mottling in females and juveniles.
Diet
Feeds on insects, spiders, earthworms, and snails, supplemented by berries and small fruits. In the breeding season it takes mostly invertebrates gathered from leaf litter and mossy ground. During winter and migration it increases fruit intake, often swallowing small berries whole. It methodically flips leaves and probes soil and rotting wood to locate prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the shaded forest floor and along stream margins within dense understory. In winter it uses fruiting trees and forest edges but stays close to cover. Occasional feeding occurs on low branches when taking fruit.
