Is this a Varied Thrush?
Outdoor Ontario

Is this a Varied Thrush?

Meese · 7 · 2216

Meese

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In December my son was sick for a week and we hung a bird feeder for something fun to do to stay occupied while he was stuck in bed (and because I'd been meaning to for a while anyways!). We are now up to 3 feeders and have photographed 10 different types including 4 pairs of cardinals (all in view at the same time), a pair of blue jays, a pair of nuthatches, a pair of downy woodpeckers, lots of chickadees, junco's and sparrows, some mourning doves and what I think are American goldfinch in their winter colours.

Our newest visitor is confusing me though. The only thing it matches in our bird book is a Varied Thrush but the book says they live on the west coast and are VERY rare in Ontario - about 10 sightings a year on average. But he has been here for over a week and I see him out the window a minimum of a dozen times a day.

We are brand new to this and depending only on our bird book and google for identification. Are we incredibly lucky or have I identified the wrong bird?

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[attachment=0:1rdretvx]10984507_10152752881926378_1765378849452557479_o.jpg[/attachment:1rdretvx]

I have probably over 50 more photos, but they are still on my camera.  I can add more later if it will help.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


cairnstone

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You are very lucky! It is a Varied Thrush. I believe it's male too. For someone new to this you sure scored.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Meese

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He is sitting in the tree outside my window right now!  About 10 feet from me.
He was just hanging out below the feeder about 5 feet from me, but I walked up to the window too quickly and scared him away.

He is much more shy than the rest of the birds that come to our feeder.  It's hard to get good pictures.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Brown-headed Birder

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I've written to lucky Meese explaining others might want to view the bird and if they are open to that to post safe instructions here or let us know how to contact them privately.  I've only seen this bird one year in Ontario and it came to my second-floor feeder off my then house in Cabbagetown Toronto at least 13 years ago. It stayed for a week or so in early winter and I was thrilled.  

Enjoy your rarity

Theresa
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Meese

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[attachment=0:32zle7op]11016832_10152763962481378_6918799141347631991_o.jpg[/attachment:32zle7op]

[attachment=1:32zle7op]10993502_10152763962216378_4993889397740138258_o(1).jpg[/attachment:32zle7op]

He was back again most of the day.  We are near Woodstock, headed towards Paris.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Henrique Pacheco

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Congrats Meese! Finding your own rare bird is one of the biggest rushes in birding. Especially when it shows at your feeder! Keep it well fed as it sure is special  :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


crawshaw

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'
I would imaginbe this is the same varied thrush we had at our feeder in the West End the first couple of weeks in February but then disappeared. I am glad he was still around elsewhere
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »