Grey Shrike Thrush

GREY SHRIKE THRUSH Colluricincla harmonica

Even on a dull day when there is not much activity in the bush, the Grey Shrike Thrushes are about.

Today I was walking around the base of Mount Hickey. Mt Hickey, between Kilmore and Broadford, is a sugar-loaf shaped hill, surrounded by 'pretty close to natural' bush. It is a beautiful place to visit,

Despite being overcast and being a little late in the morning, the shrike thrushes were busy foraging in the undergrowth and up and down tree trunks. I generally see them alone although I often hear hear them calling to and answering another through the trees.

My books tell me they are omnivores, eating  small arthropods, insects,berries, small molluscs and at times, young nestlings.

Their name, Colluricincla harmonica is derived from two Greek words, Collurio and kinkhlos, both of which refer to thrushes, although this bird is not related to the European thrush. The second word relates of course to their beautiful song, thought to be thrush like by early Australians.

I have included this older photograph,taken in March this year, to show the markings on the immature bird. The marked striations, beautiful dark on cream are very different to the adult birds' plumage.