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Grey Shrike-thrushAlternate name(s): "Grey Thrush", "Brown Shrike-thrush", "Buff-bellied Shrike-thrush", "Harmonious Thrush", "Native Thrush", "Whistling Shrike-thrush", "Whistling Dick", "Pluff", "Mourner" ![]() Race "rufiventris": "koodelong" (WA) Size: 22-25 cm Weight: 47-84 g |
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Similar |
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See Grey
Shrikethrush at Wikipedia ![]() |
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Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a
look here .
Race "harmonica"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Frontal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush; note the white lores
characterising this bird as a male
[Near Bugilbone, NSW, May 2017]
Near-frontal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, May 2014]
Close-up near-frontal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, August 2015]
Close-up lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, August 2015]
Close-up lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, August 2015]
Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, August 2015]
Near-dorsal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush issuing its
call
from a vantage point
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, July 2013]
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FEMALE |
Frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush foraging in leaf litter;
note the streaking down the front
[Near Barraba, NSW, July 2013]
Frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Pullenvale, QLD, November 2023]
Near-frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanthorpe, QLD, February 2021]
Near-frontal/ventral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
[Mt. Kaputar NP,
NSW, October 2010]
Near-frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]
Near-frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]
Lateral portrait of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
[Warrabah NP,
NSW, September 2010]
Close-up lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lamington NP,
QLD, February 2018]
Lateral view of a tame female Grey Shrike-thrush
[Arkaroola, SA, March 2008]
Close-up lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, September 2014]
Lateral/ventral view of a resting female Grey Shrike-thrush;
note the sparsity of features, with a very inconspicuous eye-ring,
no light-grey on the lore, almost no colour gradient down the
front and only minimal dark streaking on the breast
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dundowran Beach, Hervey Bay, QLD, May 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Mareeba, QLD, August 2020]
Near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, May 2014]
Partly obscured near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]
Dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking sideways
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bunyaville Conservation Park, Brisbane, QLD, May 2020]
Dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lamington NP,
QLD, February 2018]
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PAIR |
Male, left, and female, right, Grey Shrike-thrushes establishing
their territory in a rural
garden, where
they were nesting at the time (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Tenterfield, NSW, January 2016]
Sex unknown |
Grey Shrike-thrush preening
[February 2012]
"Rotor-head" Grey Shrike-thrush
[September 2010]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Frontal view of an immature male Grey Shrike-thrush; note the
thin remnant rufous lore and supercilium, while the front is
plain grey (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Near-frontal view of an immature female Grey Shrike-thrush; note the
striation down the front and the rufous wing coverts
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Near-lateral view of an immature female Grey Shrike-thrush; note the
striation down the front and the rufous wing coverts and the thin
rufous supercilium
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Near-frontal view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush; note the broad
rufous supercilium
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of
R. Plumtree)
[Cassilis Road, Swifts Creek, East Gippsland, VIC, December 2014]
Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, January 2006]
Dorsal view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Close-up portrait of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Race "strigata"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush approaching a puddle;
note the white eyebrow
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Elizabeth Track, Bruny Island, TAS, April 2021]
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FEMALE |
Near-lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cradle Mountain, TAS, September 2021]
Lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking at the observer
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Elizabeth Track, Bruny Island, TAS, April 2021]
Lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cradle Mountain, TAS, September 2021]
Near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cradle Mountain, TAS, September 2021]
Near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cradle Mountain, TAS, September 2021]
Dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking sideways
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Elizabeth Track, Bruny Island, TAS, April 2021]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Frontal view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush; note the rufous
patches above the eyes and the yellowish gape
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Bruny Island, TAS, March 2016]
Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mt. Nelson, Hobart, TAS, April 2021]
Race "rufiventris"
This race is also called "Western Shrike-thrush".
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush looking backwards;
note the characteristic rufous vent
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles, SA, June 2023]
Lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles, SA, June 2023]
Near-dorsal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]
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FEMALE |
Lateral view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Ormiston Gorge, near Alice Springs, NT, in July 2018]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Lateral view of a immature Grey Shrike-thrush; note
the rufous supercilium
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]
Race "brunnea"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Near-frontal view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush - note the white lores;
this is the bird whose
calls were recorded
on 17 November 2018
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Victoria Highway, NT, November 2018]
Near-lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, August 2018]
Lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Victoria Highway, NT, September 2020]
Lateral view of a male Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, September 2019]
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FEMALE |
Frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, July 2019]
Frontal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush looking for prey
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, July 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a female Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, July 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, July 2014]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Lateral/ventral view of a first-year immature(?) Grey Shrike-thrush;
this is one of the birds whose
calls were
recorded on 26 November 2020
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Kakadu NP,
NT, November 2020]
Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush - note the
rufous supercilium
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, August 2018]
Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, September 2019]
Dorsal view of a juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, August 2018]
Race "superciliosa"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Near-lateral/ventral view of a male(?) Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Jardine River, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]
Lateral view of a male(?) Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Jardine River, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]
Dorsal view of a male(?) Grey Shrike-thrush
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Jardine River, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Jul - Mar | Eggs: 2 - 4 | Incubation period: 16 - 18 days | Fledging age: 14 - 17 days |
Given the right conditions, Grey Shrike-thrushes can breed any time of the year.
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Basket | Material: Broad leaves or bark strips with grass lining | Height above ground: 0-2 m |
Grey Shrike-thrushes are usually ground-nesting birds. Their nests tend to be hidden between grass tussocks or near the base of a shrub, in dense underbrush. However, we have also found them nesting in ranking vines and dense shrubs, up to 2 m above the ground.
View into a Grey Shrike-thrush nest in a vine, about 2 m above
ground, with 3 chicks in it; the tree stands in a gully, bringing
the nest to about the level of the creek bank
[Moree, NSW, September 2015]
Here mum Grey Shrike-thrush has just delivered food
[Moree, NSW, September 2015]
This Grey Shrike-thrush nest, with two almost naked chicks in it,
was found at a height of about 1.5 m from the ground, in a small
tree in close proximity to humans
[Near Binnaway, NSW, September 2015]
Three Grey Shrike-thrush chicks in a nest built in a decorative
plant in a hanging basket under the awning of a house (photo
courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Tenterfield, NSW, January 2016]
A look into a Grey Shrike-thrush nest the day after it was
abandoned shows the paucity of lining material used in this
case (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Tenterfield, NSW, January 2016]
Grey Shrike-thrush collecting thin strips of bark as
nesting material; this particular specimen is not shy
at all - it is preparing a nest in a hanging flowerpot
under the awning of a building
[Near Coonabarabran, NSW, 2006]
Female Grey Shrike-thrush carrying nesting material
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, August 2017]
Grey Shrike-thrush carrying nesting material
[Mt. Kaputar NP,
NSW, September 2008]
The nest shown below was still under construction by the bird in the photo above and its partner; since they were still carrying mostly bark for the outer walls, it is possible that finer material for lining the inside was still to follow.
Grey Shrike-thrush nest on the ground, hidden in dense
growth under a wattle shrub
[Mt. Kaputar NP,
NSW, September 2008]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 29 x 21 mm | Colour: Creamy, with big, dark-brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
Grey Shrike-thrush nest with 1 egg in it (photo courtesy
of J. Margin)
[Fingal Head, NSW, September 2020]
Grey Shrike-thrush nest with 3 eggs in it (photo courtesy
of B. Neighbour)
[Lorne, NSW, November 2016]
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair |
Grey Shrike-thrushes can be very curious - in some cases so much so that it gets them into trouble.
Grey Shrike-thrush as the "parking attendant"
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, February 2012]
This Grey Shrike-thrush was trapped overnight inside a building overnight
[Dorrigo NP,
NSW, February 2012]
Grey Shrike-thrushes are one of the bird species that will try to fight off a potential competitor when confronted with their mirror image.
Grey Shrike-thrush trying to impress the competitor in the mirror...
[Warrabah NP,
NSW, September 2010]
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Food, Diet |
Grey Shrike-thrushes are known for their varied diet. They feed on insects and other animals, including chicks of smaller birds, lizards, mice, frogs and spiders. They are also known to take fruit and seeds.
Female Grey Shrike-thrush with its prey, a juicy caterpillar
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Mareeba, QLD, August 2020]
Male Grey Shrike-thrush with its prey, a small insect that it took
from leaf litter
[Manning Point, NSW, July 2013]
Female Grey Shrike-thrush with an insect it has just caught
[Bullawa Creek SCA,
near Narrabri, NSW, Aubust 2017]
Near-frontal view of an immature female Grey Shrike-thrush
with its prey
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]
Male Grey Shrike-thrush bringing food for its brood
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Tenterfield, NSW, January 2016]
Female Grey Shrike-thrush bringing food for its brood
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Tenterfield, NSW, January 2016]
This immature Grey Shrike-thrush has caught an insect
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Female Grey Shrike-thrush having a drink from a waterhole
[Pilliga scrub,
NSW, November 2018]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
Grey Shrike-thrushes are vociferous birds. Once their calls are known, one will hear them out in the bush frequently (usually getting in the way of recording other species' calls...).
grshrth_20171129_2.m4a |
harmonica (NE NSW) |
Contact calls | © MD | |
grshrth_20150328.m4a |
harmonica (NE NSW) |
Contact call (female) | © MD | |
grshrth_20200719.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Contact call | © MD | |
grshrth_20221226.mp3 |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Contact calls + territorial call | © MD | |
grshrth_20140115.mp3 |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Territorial call (male) | © MD | |
grshrth_20210922.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Territorial calls (male) | © MD | |
grshrth_art_20131215.m4a |
harmonica (SE QLD) |
Territorial calls | © ART | |
grshrth_20211212.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Territorial calls (with clacks) | © MD | |
grshrth_me_20231026.m4a |
harmonica (SE QLD) |
Contact & territorial calls (2 males, Q&A) | © ME | |
grshrth_20220528_2.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Territorial calls (2 males, Q&A) | © MD | |
grshrth_20171129.m4a |
harmonica (NE NSW) |
Warning + territorial call | © MD | |
grshrth_20141203.mp3 |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Q&A | © MD | |
grshrth_mac_20200115.m4a |
harmonica (E NSW) |
Answered by Yellow-faced Honeyeater(?) | © MAC | |
grshrth_20210409.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
grshrth_20210424.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
grshrth_20211016.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
grshrth_me_20210923.m4a |
strigata (NW TAS) |
Territorial calls | © ME | |
grshrth_pb_20181117.m4a |
brunnea (Inland NT) |
Territorial call (male) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20181117_2.m4a |
brunnea (Inland NT) |
Territorial call (male) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20190709.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Territorial call (male) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20200119.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Territorial calls (male) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20200319.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Territorial calls | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20201205.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Territorial calls? (Q&As) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20201126.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Various (family of 5) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20201126_2.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Various (family of 5) | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20200319_2.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
Various | © PB | |
grshrth_pb_20200319_3.m4a |
brunnea (Top End, NT) |
? | © PB |

We have also recorded the wing beat of a Grey Shrikethrush.
grshrth_20220528.m4a |
harmonica (NW NSW) |
Rising to higher perch + contact call | © MD |
More Grey Shrike-thrush sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.