Coastal BC Birds: Varied Thrush
Varied Thrush
This spring a new visitor came to the cabin. At first I thought it was a robin, but on closer inspection I identified it as a Varied Thrush.It first appeared along the cliff, hopping from one grassy spot to the next, never close enough for a good shot.
A Varied Thrush is related to a robin. They live in the Pacific Northwest in wet, coniferous forests. They eat insects (probably a lots of those on the grassy outcrops this time of year), fruit and acorns. Logging of mature forests has limited their range. Maybe that is why he (she?) appeared near the cabin. They just harvested the hills behind us, maybe destroying it's natural habitat or nesting site. -- Margy
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We have thrushes here, I'm told, although I don't know if they are the same kind. Probably not, since yours live in the Pacific Northwest.
ReplyDeleteBut the birdsong woke me this morning! It sounds as if all the birds are just so full of joy. I find I can't continue sleeping when that symphony of bird song begins!
Yes that most certainly looks like a varied thrush to me. I have a few pictures of them posted on my Bird blog. I have one or two that visit my property every year. Lovely looking birds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing....
Hi Marion - this is the first I have ever seen at the cabin. Quite distinctive colour. I think Thrushes are pretty common so a relative probably lives near you. They love mature forests. Thanks for the confirmation Smalltown RN. Sometimes the pictures on the web and in the bird guides vary a bit. I'm quite an amateur but love to watch the critters that come to visit. -- Margy
ReplyDeleteVaried thrushes are the birds that make that mysterious whistle sound - puzzled me for years and years! Sounds (to me) like someone blowing one breezy note on a metal whistle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in BC and went camping, I was always enchanted by the sound of this bird. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the bird song information kateR. I hear that distinctive whistle each morning but didn't know it belonged to the Thrush. I guess they have been nearby all along, this one just happened to show himself. - Margy
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