When I write a story about a beautifully coloured bird, there is little need for a detailed explanation as the illustration would be example enough.
The outstanding talent of the Grey Shrike-Thrush pictured, certainly has nothing to do with lovely colours in its plumage.
In fact, the overall drab grey tones would be roughly the opposite.
We had often heard these beautiful melodious tones coming from the nearby trees but couldn’t find the bird that was making them in amongst the foliage. There was a variety of different notes, intermingled with some clear whistles.
There are many birds with lovely calls but this one was among the best.
It may be said that I put the cart before the horse as far as finding out the identity of our mystery bird with the lovely song.
I always have my camera at hand so that, if I see a subject, whether I know it or not, I can try to get a photo of it.
I saw the bird which is today’s illustration, land on an open branch out in the bush one day.
I had the camera up, aimed quickly and took some shots of it. It was just sitting there quietly, and after a short time, flew away.
Initially, I didn’t connect this grey coloured bird to the lovely calls we had been hearing until I looked up one of my bird books.
The photo in the book gave me the name and the information clearly indicated that I had photographed our mystery bird.
Thrushes are known songsters but, even though the name might suggest it, the Shrike-Thrush is not related to them.
Rarely do we see the Grey Shrike-Thrush, but we know he’s there because we still hear his call at different times.
