The white, faintly speckled throat, broad black malar stripes, orange eye-ring and bright orange bill are diagnostic. Olive thrush has a yellower bill, a dark throat and lacks the malar stripes.
Juvenile resembles juvenile olive thrush but is paler.
Thornveld, open woodland, and parks and gardens, where it may occur alongside olive thrush.
A loud, whistling 'peet-peeoo'.