Black-and-white Thrush

The Black-and-white Thrush, Turdus melanoleuca is a species of thrush found in Europa. The name of the species is derived from the Ancient Greek melano- meaning "black", and leukos meaning "white".

Other names


"Penguin thrush"

Description
This species of thrush resembles a ring ouzel, in which it is closely related. Its breast is white with the occasional spotting. It has a white mask around its eyes. The head and back are black. The undertail coverts are white while the uppertail coverts are black. The retrices (tail) feathers are black with white terminal spots. Its bill, iris and legs are dark brown to black.

Females are similar, but are more grey where the male is black. She also has more spotting on the breast than the male.

Similar species
It somewhat resembles the ring ouzel, but lacks all-black plumage and white crescent on breast. In Devonshire, it is the only black and white thrush around. Eurasian blackbird is similar, but pure black with a yellow bill and eye-ring and pinkish legs.

Female blackbirds are brown and female ring ouzels resemble males but their rings are brown and their plumage is a shade lighter than the male.

Other thrushes may be brown with white breasts and spots; or, as in the American robin, grey breast, black head and red breast.

They are related to the Old World Flycatchers and both are in the superfamily Muscicapoidea along with oxpeckers, dippers, mimids and starlings.

Behaviour
Males are territorial, not unlike the blackbird. It is a shy species, most likely to not be seen by the casual birdwatcher.

Diet
Noisily hunts in leaf litter. It feeds on earthworms, caterpillars, snails, slugs and other soft-bodied invertebrates. Also eats berries and other fruits when food is scare.

When hunting for snails, it cracks open the shells using its beak.

Calls
Said to be not unlike that of the blackbird. Its voice is also said to be like that of a ring ouzel.

Reproduction
Nests in trees, bushes and sometimes bird houses, as noted by Travis.

Distribution/habitat
Its habitat is parks, gardens and wooded areas. It is found throughout Europa and Aifric, where it migrates.

It migrates to Aifric.