{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2026}} {{Speciesbox | image = Bassian_thrush.jpg | image_caption = Bassian thrush at Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |year=2024 |title=''Zoothera lunulata'' |article-number=e.T22708512A254015760 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22708512A254015760.en}}</ref> | genus = Zoothera | species = lunulata | authority = (Latham, 1801) | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = * ''Z. l. cuneata'' * ''Z. l. halmaturina'' * ''Z. l. lunulata'' * ''Z. l. macrorhyncha'' * ''Z. l. macrorhyncha'' * ''Z. l. papuensis'' }}
The '''Bassian thrush''' ('''''Zoothera lunulata'''''), also known as the '''olive-tailed thrush''', is a medium-sized mostly insectivorous thrush found from northern Queensland to southeastern Australia. It also occurs in Tasmania, on some larger islands of Bass Strait, and on Kangaroo Island. The thrushes range from {{convert|27|to|29|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} in length and average {{convert|100|g|oz|abbr=on}} in weight.<ref name="BIB">{{cite web | url = http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Zoothera-lunulata | title = Birds in Backyards: Bassian Thrush | publisher = Birdlife Australia | access-date = 25 July 2014 | archive-date = 15 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200115171338/http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Zoothera-lunulata }}</ref>
It is estimated that the range-wide population is large, though no official count has ever been established. The population appears to be declining because of ongoing habitat destruction and degradation, but not at a rate that is concerning.<ref name =IUCN/>
The Bassian thrush lives in shrubland, forests, and rainforests.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Zoothera_%28Zoothera%29_lunulata | title = Species ''Zoothera lunulata'' (Latham 1801): Bassian Thrush | access-date = 25 July 2014 | publisher = Australian Government: Department of the Environment | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140729185314/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Zoothera_%28Zoothera%29_lunulata | archive-date = 29 July 2014 }}</ref> It appears to be a resident species, but there is some evidence that some individuals have nomadic tendencies, usually in the non-breeding season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Hindwood|first=Keith|title=Australian Birds In Colour|publisher=Reed (A.H.& A.W.)|year=1977|isbn=0-589-07184-X|pages=66}}</ref>
The thrush ranges in colour from brown to olive, with a white ring around its eyes and black bars on its back, rear, and head. Its underbody is paler, with dark scalloping, and its wings have a dark bar running the length of the underside.<ref name="BIB"/>
Nesting begins in the winter months (from late June) and continues till the end of summer. The two or three eggs which form a clutch vary from pale green or blue to light stone. The cup-shaped nest is usually built of strips of bark, at times mixed with leaves, and is lined with grasses and rootlets. Sites vary from a few feet to {{convert|50|ft}} from ground. A fork in a tree is usually favoured, but the nest may be placed on a stump, or a ledge in a cave.<ref name=":0" />
Bassian thrushes are known to dislodge their prey out of piles of leaves by disturbing the leaf litter.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Max|last=Burrows|url=http://birdlife.org.au/images/uploads/branches/documents/MP-Birdlife-1703.pdf|title=Fight or Flight|journal=Mornington Peninsula Birdlife|volume=6|number=1|date=March 2017|publisher=BirdLife Australia|page=2|access-date=2019-01-22|archive-date=2022-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307170338/https://birdlife.org.au/images/uploads/branches/documents/MP-Birdlife-1703.pdf}}</ref> The birds move quietly and often pause to listen for the movements of the insects.<ref name=":0" />
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Bassian thrush - close up.jpg|Bassian thrush at Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra File:Zoothera lunulata - Southwest National Park.jpg|Bassian thrush at Southwest National Park, Tasmania File:Zoothera lunulata Bruny.jpg|Bassian thrush at Bruny island, Tasmania </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q368710}}
Bassian thrush Category:Endemic birds of Australia Category:Birds of New South Wales Category:Birds of Queensland Category:Birds of South Australia Category:Birds of Tasmania Category:Birds of Victoria (state) Bassian thrush Category:Taxa named by John Latham (ornithologist)
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