Song thrush populations have declined by 54% in Britain since the mid-1970s. Loss of snail-rich habitats and slug pellet use have reduced their specialised prey, with significant welfare consequences for this iconic singer.
Song thrush welfare is directly affected by the availability of snails and earthworms in garden and farmland environments. Slug pellet use eliminates the snail prey song thrushes need -- each pellet-killed snail is a prey item removed from their diet. Gardens managed with heavy pesticide use, tightly mown lawns, and hard surfaces provide inadequate foraging habitat. Dry summer conditions cause welfare stress as prey retreats to depth. Simple garden changes -- reducing pesticides, leaving rough areas for snail habitat, and maintaining moist soil conditions -- directly improve song thrush welfare.