African Thrush

The African thrush (Turdus pelios), also known as the West African thrush, is a passerine bird belonging to the family Turdidae. Widely distributed across the western and central regions of sub-Saharan Africa, it inhabits a variety of wooded environments and is considered a resident, non-migratory species. Formerly regarded as conspecific with the olive thrush, taxonomic revisions have since separated the two. Its discreet behaviour, distinctive plumage features and varied vocalisations make it a characteristic member of the Afrotropical avifauna.

Physical Description

The African thrush exhibits dark olive-grey upperparts, offering effective camouflage in dense foliage. The underparts contrast subtly: the side throat is whitish with even brown streaking, the breast is greyish brown, and the flanks are pale buff-orange, though this colour does not extend onto the lower breast. The belly and vent are typically white. A notable identifying feature is its yellow-orange bill, which stands out against the darker facial tones.
Although measurements vary slightly across its extensive range, the species is generally medium-sized for the genus Turdus, falling within the typical length and weight range of African woodland thrushes. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with both sexes displaying similar plumage.

Vocalisations

The species is well known for its sustained, clear warbling song composed of multiple phrases delivered in a loose, seemingly random sequence. This song is often heard at dawn and dusk, aligning with its crepuscular foraging tendencies. In addition to its melodious phrases, the African thrush gives a high-pitched squealing call during flight, which aids in identifying the species when it moves between wooded patches.

Distribution and Range

The African thrush occupies a wide belt across sub-Saharan Africa. Its range stretches from Senegal and The Gambia in the west through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana, extending eastward to South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Southwards, populations occur in north-western Zambia and western Angola. Despite the breadth of this distribution, the species remains conspicuously tied to wooded environments, avoiding open grassland and arid areas.
Several geographically defined subspecies populate this range, each displaying slight morphological and vocal variations that reflect ecological and geographical separation.

Habitat Preferences

The African thrush thrives in a broad variety of wooded habitats, demonstrating adaptability across natural and human-altered landscapes. It is frequently found along forest edges, in riparian woodland, moist scrub, cultivated areas, village parks and suburban gardens. In regions with consistent tree cover and fruit availability, the species may become relatively habituated to humans, venturing openly onto lawns or paths.
Its flexible habitat use contributes significantly to its widespread presence across countries with varied ecological zones.

Behaviour and Feeding Ecology

Typically encountered singly or in pairs, the African thrush tends to be shy and secretive, often choosing to remain within cover. However, during periods of fruit abundance, it may join other frugivores at fruiting trees. Foraging takes place mainly on the ground, where the bird flicks leaf litter and investigates undergrowth for food.
The species displays behaviour comparable to the European song thrush, including the practice of cracking open snail shells against a designated “anvil” stone. Such actions underscore its versatility in exploiting diverse food resources.
Its diet is dominated by fruit—particularly the fruit of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), common figs, papaya, and various berries and seeds. Invertebrates are taken opportunistically, and small fish are occasionally consumed. Foraging activity is largely crepuscular, suited to its quiet, retiring nature.

Breeding Biology

Breeding has been recorded throughout the calendar year, although activity peaks correspond closely with regional wet seasons. In West Africa, breeding primarily occurs from March to October; in Ethiopia between April and July; and in the remainder of the range between November and March.
The nest is a bulky cup structure built from plant fibres and mud, lined meticulously with fine grasses, leaves and roots. It is typically positioned on a horizontal branch, within a fork of a tree or among vines, usually at a height of less than 10 metres. The species may reuse abandoned nests of other birds, demonstrating adaptive nesting behaviour.
Clutch size is normally two to three eggs. While the female undertakes incubation alone, both parents share feeding duties once the chicks have hatched. The species is known to raise two broods per breeding season, an attribute that supports stable population numbers across much of its range.

Taxonomic Notes and Superspecies Relationships

Turdus pelios is part of a taxonomically complex group within the genus Turdus. It may form a superspecies with the Kurrichane thrush and the bare-eyed thrush, reflecting shared morphological traits and overlapping behavioural characteristics.
Some populations historically considered subspecies of the African thrush—such as T. p. poensis, T. p. nigrilorum, T. p. centralis and T. p. chinguancoides—have at times been aligned with the olive thrush, illustrating the fluidity of taxonomy within this clade.
Recognised subspecies and their distributions include:

• Turdus pelios chiguancoides (Seebohm, 1881): Senegal to northern Ghana.
• Turdus pelios saturatus (Cabanis, 1882): Western Ghana to central Cameroon, western Republic of Congo and Gabon.
• Turdus pelios nigrilorum (Reichenow, 1892): Mount Cameroon.
• Turdus pelios poensis (Alexander, 1903): Bioko (formerly Fernando Po).
• Turdus pelios pelios (Bonaparte, 1850): Eastern Cameroon to South Sudan, western Eritrea and central to eastern Ethiopia.
• Turdus pelios centralis (Reichenow, 1905): Eastern Congo, southern Central African Republic to southern Ethiopia, western Kenya and north-western Tanzania.
• Turdus pelios bocagei (Cabanis, 1882): Western Democratic Republic of Congo and western Angola.
• Turdus pelios graueri (Neumann, 1908): Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and western Tanzania.
• Turdus pelios stormsi (Hartlaub, 1886): South-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, eastern Angola and northern Zambia.