Blacksmith Thrush Turdus subalaris Scientific name definitions

20–22·5 cm; 46–55 g. Adult male has grey upperparts and breast, white throat less streaked black centrally and terminating in unstreaked white patch, and all-white vent ; legs and feet yellowish brown to brownish grey, bill orange-yellow to brown with yellowish patches, iris dark brown and eyering orange-yellow to yellowish-green or -brown. Female is more like male than in T. nigriceps, generally lacking any brown tones, and in range is most likely to be confused with T. amaurochalinus, from which it is distinguished by its smaller size, and lack of blackish lores; legs and feet vary from pale yellowish brown to pale brownish olive, bill from pale yellowish brown to black, iris dark brown and eyering pale yellowish green to olive-brown. Juvenile has olive-brown upperparts with orange-brown spots on many feathers, especially wing-coverts (where also brightest); throat and breast vary from pale to mid-orange-yellow and appear irregularly barred due to presence of blackish feather edges; belly white and also appears barred; legs and feet grey to reddish grey, bill olive-black, and iris brown.

Invertebrates, but mainly fruit. Invertebrates include snails, beetles, ants and flies; fruits reported include Rapanea villosissima, Davilla rugosa and Eugenia uniflora. Forages in trees, mainly in shady low to middle levels of forest; also visits ground, even feeds on lawns and meadows adjacent to cover, and will even visit bird tables.

Song , compared to previously conspecific T. nigriceps, less jumbled and less musical, a short series of high notes with squeaky bell-like or metallic quality, “tsree tsing, tsing chewluh chewluh chuh, tsree ting, ting sing, sing, sing kli, kli, kli sree” or “tilli tille silltilli ctyio…”, typically given from inside dense canopy. Mainly heard singing in spring and summer, but occasionally in winter. No known differences in calls between this species and T. nigriceps.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Locally common, but easily overlooked (especially in non-breeding season when usually quiet and unobtrusive). Appears to have extended its range S in Brazil; not found in Rio Grande do Sul before 20th century, but now numerous there; no recent records from E Paraguay.