Wing Flash and Bird Song - The Varied Thrush Graces Us With its Winter Presence

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December.
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to Spring 
Than we were in September,” 
I heard a bird sing 
In the dark of December.    by Oliver Herford

Well, the world didn't end yesterday - we survived the 2012 solstice and here's a cheerful thought from BirdNote to help balance out the gloom of these short, dark days.

We see and hear much more of the Varied Thrush in winter than at any other time of year. While this thrush is usually solitary bird, in winter it gathers in flocks in the Puget Sound lowlands. You may well hear its eerie, metallic song (and might not even recognize it as an avian voice) more than you actually see the bird.

BirdNote host Ellen Blackstone tells me that the Varied Thrush (don't you love that name? Varied how? Compared to what??) is related to bluebirds and Swainson's Thrushes and robins. You may spot it hanging out with robins, eating mushy apples from the ground.

The song of the Varied Thrush has been described as "cool, dark, and secretive." Hear its song and learn more about this somewhat elusive garden resident on BirdNote.

Thanks to Tom Grey for the photos, and to Ellen for keeping us updated on birds...if birds are out there enjoying the garden, surely there's hope for spring...

The male Varied Thrush (top photo) is more colorful than the more subtle female...

 

Comments

[Christina Wilsdon]

Such lovely birds. One sometimes shows up at my very urban feeder when we have snow and deep cold for days on end. I recall seeing people staring up at one on my busy street as it rested in a tree, debating about whether it was an oddly marked robin or not! They were at least in the ballpark, recognizing it as a thrush. Their songs are unlike anything else--when you hear them ringing in an otherwise still forest--amazing. Thanks for sharing the great pictures!

[Aaron Barr]

Saw one of these in our North Seattle yard for the first time ever earlier this week! Absolutely beautiful and we had no idea what it was - definitely made us stop and watch him for awhile before he flew off. How convenient that I follow your blog - I'm always learning new things! Thanks, Valerie!

[Chris]

I love this bird...I also get quite a few in the very early spring as they make their way back north! I love to watch them scuffle around in the leaves, kicking them over looking for tiny tidbits! That last photo is amazing of a pair!You can even see the beads of water flying up from her bath! :)