They aren’t shrikes, they aren’t thrushes, and along with their grey feathers they have brown, white, buff, olive and maybe russet depending on which part of the country they call home.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
They have relatively subdued colouring but their voices, as their scientific name suggests, are absolutely stunning. I love hearing their melodious song ringing out in my garden. You may remember I mentioned the Grey Shrike-thrush that sat on the sill of my open car window and sang while I was in regional Victoria checking for birds that had been injured (or killed and abandoned) during the Victorian duck shooting season; it was truly magical.
1/800, f/4.0, ISO 3200
Canon R5, Canon 600 f/4 L IS USM
The first photograph was taken in the Mallee, how I love the Mallee! The photograph above was taken in my garden, how I love my garden! This season is the first time I’ve noticed Grey Shrike-thrushes foraging on the grass rather than tossing leaf litter around in the bushland. This bird seems to have its head slightly tilted which makes me wonder whether it is listening for prey the way that Common Blackbirds, and other species, do.
Happy birding, Kim
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04Oct24, I currently have a pair nesting in my daughters push bike basket, Do they reuse the same nest the next time they have chicks, or do they make a new one each time? I have picture’s but unable to leave them on the page. There is currently only 1 egg in the nest.
That sounds fabulous Simon. They often re-use the same site if they can, and if they feel safe there. I’d be mindful about giving the nest a wide berth incase they abandon it. I hope they successfully raise their babes. You could share pictures in the comments on my facebook page (if you’re on fb)
So pretty!
They are pretty cute for such an assuming little bird 🙂
One of my favourite birds. There song is so beautiful and so variable. We have them at home in our garden (Sunshine coast QLD) and also the smaller Rufous one. Thanks for highlighting this wonderful bird.
That’s really lovely to hear Carolyn. How fabulous to have the Rufous one too, it must be brilliant to have so much shrike-thrush music in your garden.
A subtly coloured charmer – and a songster too. Many of our native birds are beautiful. And many of them are NOT melodious.
That’s so true about the non-melodious species! You’ve made me chuckle thinking about some of the gorgeous screechers and squawkers.