Red-throated Thrush

Overview

The red-throated thrush (Turdus ruficollis) is a passerine bird in the thrush family that is sometimes classified as a subspecies of the dark-throated thrush, though more recent treatments regard it as a separate species. It is a migratory Palearctic species currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• A large thrush with a plain grey back and reddish underwings.
• Adult males possess a distinct red throat.
• Females and young birds lack the male's bib but feature black-streaked underparts.

Habitat

This species breeds in East Siberia to North Manchuria and winters in West China, Myanmar, and Northeast India. Its range overlaps with that of the more westerly-breeding black-throated thrush.

Did you know?

It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.