The varied thrush winters along the coast of British Columbia, but breeds from Alaska to California in forests where spruce trees, alders, and ferns grow. varied thrush is a large, robin-like bird of the Pacific Northwest. I used to refer to them as winter robins. Similar in size and shape to the robin but slighter in build, the varied thrush is a boldly patterned bird.
They dwell in the mature forests of the Pacific Northwest. In its breeding range, which runs from Alaska to northern California, it inhabits forests dominated by Sitka spruce, red alder, western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir. In winter it may be found in a broader range of habitats, including parks, gardens, and riparian areas where fruit and berries are abundant.
In the male, the rust-coloured belly and throat are interrupted by a black breast band; the female has a lighter, grayish band. A similar band lines the face at the eye. A rust-coloured stripe lines the head above the eye-band, and the crown is bluish-gray, as are the back and tail. The wings are boldly patterned with slate, black, and rust. The female patterning is similar, but the back is brownish.
They feed on insects and other invertebrates, obtained mostly from the damp soils under the forest canopy. They also eat fruit and in winter have been known to eat seeds at bird feeders.
The nest, similar to a robin’s but usually with less mud, is found up to 5 m high, against the trunk of young coniferous trees. The three or four eggs are incubated by the female for about 14 days. The Varied Thrush visits our feeders all winter long and brightens up a drab winter day.
I watched a Robin feeding three Varied Thrush on my lawn today. The three Thrush looked like they may be a crossbred. Is this possible. They looked like they were old enough to be on there own but were being fed by the Robin. Could the Robin have hatched Thrush eggs. I am very confused by what I saw. Roy
It would be cool if there was a snippet of what the bird sounds like.
Here ya go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_WszYS3d2o
I discovered your site today and it is wonderful. I was looking for information in particular about the Varied Thrush and found your information – very well written. However I was a little disappointed that I could not copy and paste the information to provide to my friend. Is this something you would consider in the future – so information can be shared.
You can personally write me to use this info and l can send it to you, it must be used for educational purposes. I found my articles used in many other websites where it is simple copied and pasted as their own. I do love to share my info, that’s why I built this site.