Taxonomy
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Birds
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Species: Turdus viscivorus
Conservation Status of the Species in Portugal and Worldwide
Portugal
World
Features and
Habits
In terms of size, it has a length of approximately 27 cm and a wingspan between 42 and 48 cm. Regarding its characteristics, the most noticeable aspect is the rounded spots on its chest. The rest of its body is greyish-brown. The main difference compared to the Music Thrush is its larger size.
It feeds mainly on insects, earthworms, snails, and fruits, and also has the ability to open holly burrs to feed on the seeds. It reproduces between March and June. The female builds the nest with branches, moss, roots, and feathers. She lays between 3 and 5 eggs that hatch after 13 to 15 days of incubation. After the chicks are born, both parents feed them for 14 to 16 days, at the end of which they are ready to leave the nest, although they are fed for a few more weeks.
Habitat and Distribution
It is an uncommon resident bird (found in Portugal throughout the year), throughout the country, although more so in the north than in the south. They are visible in forest habitats with clearings such as cork oak forests, pine forests and oak groves. The places where there are more records of sightings are in the Gerês and Estrela mountain ranges. It is more visible in winter when it is foraging for food in open meadows.
Places where I have photographed this species so far.
All Photographs Taken
