Photographing Thrushes in the Garden
Thrushes are frequent visitors to our garden, especially Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, which can be seen throughout the year. Occasionally, a Fieldfare or even a Golden Oriole makes an appearance, although these are much rarer visitors.
With their distinctive calls, larger size, and relatively confident behaviour, thrushes are often easier to spot and observe than many of the smaller birds that visit the garden.
They confidently hop across the lawn in search of food, particularly insects and other small invertebrates. They also regularly perch in trees, on the grapevine, fences, and buildings to rest or observe their surroundings. The bird bath is another favourite spot, and they are always happy to stop by for a drink or a bath.
I took these photographs throughout the summer using my 50-250mm lens. Most were taken from a distance of around 6-10 metres, although these birds occasionally allow me to get surprisingly close. With a little patience, it is sometimes possible to photograph them from only 3-5 metres away.
Blackbirds are particularly enjoyable subjects to photograph. Their dark plumage stands out beautifully against a soft green background or a clear blue sky, making it possible to create simple but striking images.
Photographing them among the branches of trees can be a little more challenging. A tangle of branches can easily distract from the bird and make the composition feel too busy. In these situations, I prefer to wait for the bird to move to a cleaner perch, ideally one with fewer branches around it and a more pleasing background.
As with so much garden bird photography, patience can make all the difference. Sometimes it is better not to chase the photograph, but simply to wait for the bird to choose the right place for you.
Photos taken with Nikon Z fc + Nikon Z DX 50–250mm f/4.5–6.3 VR. Click on a photo to view it in a larger size.
Did you know? – Blackbird & Song Thrush
Blackbirds and Song Thrushes are among the most familiar thrushes found in European gardens. Although they belong to the same family, they are easy to tell apart: male Blackbirds have almost entirely black plumage with a bright yellow-orange bill, while Song Thrushes have warm brown upperparts and a pale, heavily spotted breast.
Both species spend a lot of time searching for food on the ground. Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, berries, and fruit, which means gardens with lawns, shrubs, and trees can provide excellent feeding habitats.
The Song Thrush is particularly famous for its musical voice. Males often repeat short phrases several times in succession, making their song quite distinctive. Blackbirds are also accomplished singers, and their rich, melodic calls are especially noticeable during spring and early summer.
An interesting behaviour to watch for is the Song Thrush feeding on snails. It may use a favourite stone as an “anvil”, repeatedly striking the snail shell against it until it breaks open.
Despite being common garden visitors, both species can be fascinating to observe and photograph. Their relatively confident behaviour often gives photographers enough time to wait for the right pose, light, and background.