Photo: Tokumi (user:Gin tonic) / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Japanese Thrush
Turdus cardis
Japanese Thrush (Turdus cardis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Japanese Thrush (Turdus cardis) is a member of the Turdidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 58.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Turdidae Thrushes
- Genus Turdus
- Species cardis
Where it lives
Central China and Hokkaido to Kyushu (north to southern Japan)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 58.9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Turdidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Japanese Thrush is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Japanese Thrush is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Japanese Thrush (Turdus cardis) belongs to the Turdidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL c China and Hokkaido to Kyushu (n to s Japan).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58.9 g, with a wing length of about 11.5 cm and a tail of around 7.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 701,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Japanese Thrush?
The Japanese Thrush is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58.9 g.
Where does the Japanese Thrush live?
The Japanese Thrush is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL c China and Hokkaido to Kyushu (n to s Japan), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Japanese Thrush belong to?
The Japanese Thrush (Turdus cardis) belongs to the Turdidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Japanese Thrush eat?
The Japanese Thrush is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Japanese Thrush migrate?
The Japanese Thrush is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Japanese Thrush endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Japanese Thrush make?
1 real field recording of the Japanese Thrush — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Japanese Thrush's range?
The Japanese Thrush has a mapped global range of about 701,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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