Siberian Thrush

The Siberian thrush is a song-thrush-sized member of the thrush family with strongly different male and female plumages. The male is dark blue-grey above and below, relieved by a white stripe over the eye and white on the lower belly and flanks. The female is much browner and carries a buff-coloured eyebrow. In flight, both sexes reveal a particularly useful mark: a black band across otherwise white underwings, a pattern also found in the scaly thrush. (Wikipedia, general species account)

This secretive thrush breeds in Siberian taiga and is strongly migratory, with most individuals travelling to Southeast Asia for winter. Its food is varied rather than specialised: the opened species account records insects, earthworms and berries. The scientific genus name combines Greek roots meaning ground and thrush, while the specific name refers to Siberia. Although it can wander far beyond its usual route and has reached western Europe, such appearances are described as very rare. (Wikipedia, general species account)