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District of Columbia State Bird - Wood Thrush

 

Wood Thrush

 

The Wood Thrush is a medium-sized thrush with the posture of an American Robin but a slightly smaller body. Sexes are alike, and adults are a cinnamon-brown color on their crown and nape that fades to olive-brown on the back, wings and tail. The under-parts are white with large dark spots on the breast, sides and flanks. Overall, the head appears a much richer color than the rest of the top of the body, with the tail being the dullest in color. They have a dull white eye-ring and pinkish legs. Juveniles are similar to adults but with tawny streaks and spots on their back, neck and wing coverts.

The Wood Thrush resides in forests in the eastern United States where it is more often heard than seen.

Identification Tips:
  • Length: 7 inches
  • Rusty crown, nape and upper back
  • White eye ring and streaked cheeks
  • White underparts with black spots throughout
  • Brown upperparts
  • Pink legs
  • Sexes similar
  • Juvenile has pale spots on upperparts
  • Often forages on forest floor
  • Distinctive beautiful song
Kingdom Animalia -- animals
   Phylum Chordata -- chordates
      Subphylum Vertebrata -- vertebrates
         Class Aves -- birds
            Order Passeriformes -- perching birds
               Family Muscicapidae -- old world flycatchers
                  Genus Hylocichla Baird, 1864 -- wood thrushes
                     Species Hylocichla mustelina (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) -- wood thrush, Zorzal maculado