Varied Thrush, male © Tim Zurowski

Perching Birds

Description 9-10" (23-25 cm). Superficially similar to American Robin. Slate gray upperparts; rusty orange throat and breast interrupted by broad slate-colored or black breast band; 2 orange wing bars; off-white belly. Female is similar, but paler; breast band gray or absent. Young bird's breast band incomplete, frequently with orange and dusky speckles. Flight more undulating than American Robin's.

Habitat Dense coniferous or deciduous forests with abundant water.

Nesting 3-5 pale blue, spotted eggs in a moss-lined twig cup built in a small tree, sapling, or bush.

Range Breeds from Alaska and Yukon south to Oregon, California, Idaho, and Montana. Winters from coastal Alaska southward.

Voice Song 2 or 3 buzzy whistles, each drawn out until it fades away, followed by a short silence. Call a low took.

Discussion This thrush lives on the shaded floor of coniferous forests. Like the American Robin, it feeds on earthworms and insects in open, bare areas. In winter it migrates to lowlands or flies south to California parks, habitats it shares with robins.