The Department for the Environment and Water is undertaking a unique survey across national parks in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula with the aim of boosting knowledge on the rarely-seen Bassian thrush.

The survey aims to identify where the Bassian thrush can be found across more than 60 different sites, including in parks, SA Water, Forestry SA and private land.

The Bassian thrush’s unique call is being recorded using small audio recorders hung in trees, known as ‘audio moths. The recordings are then used to identify the locations it can be found in.

Several confirmed sightings of the species have been made in new locations, including at Eurilla Conservation Park, Blackfellow’s Creek and Belair and Hindmarsh Valley National Parks.

National parks being surveyed include Belair National Park, Cleland Conservation Park, Kaisersthul Conservation Park, Black Hill Conservation Park, Porter Scrub, Mount George Conservation Park and Scott Creek Conservation Park.

The Bassian thrush is a secretive bird, coloured with subtle brown and cream feathers. It has scalloped black crescent-shaped bars down its back, rump and head, offering it perfect camouflage in its habitat of thick leaf litter.

It is an insectivorous, ground-dwelling bird which can be found in wet forest gullies and densely vegetated areas. Bassian thrush breed in winter when their favourite food – earthworms – are easier to find.

When foraging, the thrush often stands still before dashing forward and then vigorously jabbing its sturdy bill into the ground to seize a worm.

When males are foraging, they can carry up to five or six very large worms at a time, laying the wiggling pile down each time they extract an extra worm. This bundle of worms is presented to the female or hungry nestlings to eat.