Species BirdsWood Thrush

Wood Thrush

Hylocichla mustelina

CommonBird
Illustration of Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)

The Wood Thrush is considered by many naturalists to be the finest songster in North America, capable of singing two notes simultaneously through its syrinx to produce rich, fluty phrases with internal harmonics. Henry David Thoreau was so moved by its song he wrote that it 'suggests a serene immortal beauty.' It has suffered significant declines due to forest fragmentation and cowbird parasitism.

Habitat
Moist mature deciduous forests with rich leaf litter
Diet
Earthworms, insects, snails, and berries
How common
Common

Best time to see a Wood Thrush

The best time to see a Wood Thrush is April–June, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,254 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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