The Chestnut-backed Thrush is a near threatened species that is likely extinct in many of its native homes in the wild. It’s also my favorite small bird. They’re not as well known for their songs as your various larks and grosbeaks, but when they’re in the mood… boy can they sing. I’ve more than once spent 10, 20 minutes in Denver Zoo’s Bird World whistling with one of the two they keep. I’ve caught about six or seven different melodies they’ll sing, all centered around the same base pitch. And they are more than happy to “trade fours”, going back forth with you whistling selections from those melodies.
What I find even more interesting is that I can find no videos showing that same group of melodies being sung. I’m no bird-biologist, but one can’t help but wonder if it’s a set of songs that these two developed on their own, if the songs were passed down, or if their songs change and adapt depending on where and with whom they’re living. I’m curious to know, and if anyone out there really knows the science of bird songs, please comment below.
The Zootographer 