# Bassian thrush
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{{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](/source/Australian_National_Botanic_Gardens), [Canberra](/source/Canberra), [Australia](/source/Australia)
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = [{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |year=2024 |title=''Zoothera lunulata'' |article-number=e.T22708512A254015760 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22708512A254015760.en}}]
| genus = Zoothera
| species = lunulata
| authority = ([Latham](/source/John_Latham_(ornithologist)), 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](/source/insectivorous) [thrush](/source/Thrush_(bird)) found from northern Queensland to southeastern [Australia](/source/Australia). It also occurs in [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), on some larger islands of [Bass Strait](/source/Bass_Strait), and on [Kangaroo Island](/source/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.[{{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 }}]
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.[
The Bassian thrush lives in shrubland, forests, and rainforests.][{{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 }}] It appears to be a resident species, but there is some evidence that some individuals have nomadic tendencies, usually in the non-breeding season.[{{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}}]
The thrush ranges in colour from brown to [olive](/source/olive_(color)), 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.[{{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}}] The birds move quietly and often pause to listen for the movements of the insects.