The Varied Thrush is a robin-like bird of the Pacific Northwest's dark, mossy forests, the male's deep orange and slate plumage with a black breast band making it arguably the most beautiful North American thrush. Its ghostly, wavering single-note whistle echoes through old-growth forests like a bell. It irrupts into California and even the eastern US in some winters.
Best time to see a Varied Thrush
The best time to see a Varied Thrush is December–March, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,573 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Varied Thrush? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Varied Thrush sightings near you
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