One of Shenzhen’s best kept secrets is the presence of the beautiful gray-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum), a close relative of the resident Chinese blackbird that delights us with its beautiful singing.

This thrush is a migratory bird that visited our city during the past winter months and was seen around Bijia Mountain and Tanglang Mountain.

This fabulous bird has a light gray head and back, with beautiful orange feathers on both flanks. A patch of striking spots can be seen on the breast and upper belly of juveniles.

The belly is white and the beak is yellow, as are part of the eye rings and the legs.

This 23cm bird spends its day foraging on the ground of dense-wooded areas that are covered in a thick bed of dead leaves in search of small invertebrate animals like insects and snails, although it can also be seen foraging on fruits.

The gray-backed thrush can lay up to five eggs which both parents will incubate during a period of two weeks. After another 10 to 12 days, the youngsters are ready to leave the nest.