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  3. Turdidae
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  5. Zoothera
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  7. Bassian Thrush
Bassian Thrush
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Bassian Thrush

Zoothera lunulata(Latham, 1801)

Updated 11 June 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Zoothera

At a glance

The Bassian Thrush is a medium-sized bird, about 25–30 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
25–30 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Bassian Thrush look like?

The Bassian Thrush is a medium-sized bird, about 25–30 cm long and weighing 75–142 g.

The Bassian thrush, also known as the olive-tailed thrush, is a medium-sized mostly insectivorous thrush found from northern Queensland to southeastern Australia. It also occurs in Tasmania, on some larger islands of Bass Strait, and on Kangaroo Island. The thrushes range from 27 to 29 cm in length and average 100 g (3.5 oz) in weight.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
25–30 cm
Weight
75–142 g
Wingspan
37 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Often 'freezes' in a rigid, upright posture when approached, relying on its scalloped pattern to blend into shadows and leaf litter while listening for prey.

flight

  • When flushed, watch for a bold, dark diagonal bar across the white underside of the wing as the bird flies low through the undergrowth.

plumage

  • Look for dense, black crescent-shaped 'scales' covering both the olive-brown back and pale breast, and a prominent, unbroken white ring around the eye.

size_and_shape

  • Typical thrush silhouette with a sturdy, upright stance and a relatively long, heavy bill that has a slightly hooked tip.

voice

  • Listen for a thin, high-pitched 'tsee' call; the song is a slow, mournful series of clear whistles, primarily heard at dawn and dusk.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Bassian Thrush?

The Bassian Thrush is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

jimchurches · South Wolumla NSW 2550, Australia

Call

Sofia Zvolanek · South Turramurra NSW 2074, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Bassian Thrush eat?

The Bassian Thrush feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Bassian Thrush live in Australia?

The Bassian Thrush is endemic to Australia, recorded across 34 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning north-east, south-east and south Australia and Tasmania.

BreedingNorth-east, south-east and south Australia and Tasmania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded