The not-so-varied varied thrush.

Essentially a glorified robin, the varied thrush lives along the western reaches of North America. Its call is somewhat haunting (click here) as it spends its time foraging on the ground for meals. They are far more elusive than their more familiar cousins and prefer thickets and dense areas of vegetation where they are harder to see. They are very distinctive from the American robin; the bright orange breast with a black bib (male only) and orange "eyebrows" clearly indicates its presence.

It is very difficult to tell the sexes apart in robins. Not so for the varied thrush. The female is much duller in colour and does not have the striking bib present in the male. Robins are comfortable in the open and happily hop across manicured lawns in search of earthworms or any other tasty invertebrate they may find. Like the robin, these thrushes eat all types of invertebrates as well as berries and fruit. Seeds may be taken occasionally. Unlike their gregarious cousins, they prefer the solitude of brush and rarely come out in the open.

I have seen twenty or so varied thrushes over the last few weeks. They are permanent residents in this area, another difference from the robin. This year has been somewhat exceptional in that many species that normally head south have remained; it seems milder weather is to their liking. I have seen a few robins this winter; their numbers will grow as the spring comes and they migrate northward from southern latitudes. Eventually, the robin will once again far outnumber the varied thrush. It may out-compete these thrushes in distribution and number, but it will never beat its beauty. The unvarying varied thrush will always outclass all other members of this family of birds.

Thanks for reading.     Ericspix     Eric Svendsen