Wildlife

Wild Song Thrush Farmland Welfare

Song thrush populations have declined 50% in the UK since 1970, with agricultural intensification reducing both the invertebrate food supply and the structural diversity of farmland habitats.

Key Facts

Song thrushes uniquely use stones as anvils to crack snail shells for food
Snails and earthworms make up the majority of song thrush diet
Pesticide use reduces snail and earthworm populations critically affecting thrush food supply
Garden song thrushes fare better than farmland birds with snail-rich borders maintained
UK farmland song thrush populations declined 58% between 1970 and 2020

Welfare Considerations

Song thrush food supply declines cause starvation and breeding failure. Pesticide reduction and habitat management that support invertebrate prey populations directly improve thrush welfare.

What You Can Do

Avoid slug pellets and pesticides in gardens to maintain song thrush food supply
Create habitat with snail-friendly damp shaded areas including leaf litter
Support agri-environment schemes providing invertebrate-rich habitat on farmland
Record song thrush sightings through citizen science schemes to support population monitoring