White’s Thrush
Zoothera aurea
White's Thrush is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen during the autumn months, and is most notable for its occasional appearances in woodland and scrub habitats. It is a scarce visitor to the UK, with most sightings occurring on the eastern coast.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify White’s Thrush in the field.
The White's Thrush can be identified at a glance by its brown back, wings, and tail, with a distinctive white underside and yellowish-buff breast, as well as its rounded head and short tail. Its dark brown cheeks and white throat patches are also distinctive features.
The White's Thrush is slightly larger than a Song Thrush, but smaller than a Mistle Thrush, making it a medium-sized bird.
The male White's Thrush has a brown back, wings, and tail, with a yellowish-buff breast and white underside, and its plumage remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
The female White's Thrush is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on appearance alone.
The White's Thrush has a distinctive, melancholic call that sounds like a low, mournful whistle, often described as a series of descending phrases.
White's Thrushes are ground-foraging birds, feeding on insects, fruits, and berries, and are often seen running or walking on the ground with a distinctive, deliberate gait, with a habit of freezing in place when alarmed.
The White's Thrush can be confused with the Song Thrush, but can be distinguished by its more rounded head, shorter tail, and distinctive white throat patches, as well as its more subdued, brownish colouration.
Quick Facts
Who's spotted this?
Loading...
Recent community sightings
Loading recent sightings...
