THRUSH 1/7 - Siberian Thrush

 Siberian Thrush

First thing after getting my new replacement gear from Canon Malaysia is to go out to shoot after a long siesta. At one point of time I was comtemplating to go for the dark side Nikon after seeing Madi's set up at the entry cost of a D7000 and 300mm f4 producing photos which are much better than what my 400mm f5.6 can churn out in term of resolution and sharpness but then I not into sharpness........anyway Aman did pull me back to the Canon path. I must say Canon's aftersale service is way behind Nikon though. The first time they gave me a new 7D was a lemon which have soft focus problem........very tu lan!

Back to birds; So guys you are right the migrants are still around in Ulu Kali near the Cutia place. A pair of 1st winter male dropped by on the fruiting tree at eye level before the domineering Golden throated Barbet chase them away. It was bit late in the morning if you want to know.

The Siberian Thrush, Zoothera sibirica, is a member of the Thrush family Turdidae. It breeds in taiga in Siberia. It is strongly migratory, with most birds moving to southeastern Asia during the winter months of November - March. It do vagrantly seen in western Europe. It is very secretive. In Malaysia it keeps to the cooler hills. In Awana and most probably Fraser Hill are likely place to see them. Keeps to the wet and soggy ground hunting for grubs. It will take flight to middle storey when danger approach.

The Siberian Thrush is similar in size to a fatten Magpie Robin of 6-7 inches. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms and berries.

The male Siberian Thrush is a dark blue-grey above and below, with a white stripe above the eye. The lower belly and flanks are white. The female is a much browner bird, with a buff stripe above the eye.

A striking identification feature of both sexes in flight is the black band on the white underwings.