The Wood Thrush - Hylocichla mustelina - is widely distributed across North America,
wintering in Central America and Southern Mexico.
It is the official bird of the District
of Columbia. It is solitary, but sometimes forms
mixed-species flocks. The Wood Thrush defends a territory that ranges in size
from 800 to 28000 square meters
Description
The Wood Thrush
is a medium-sized thrush and the male and female are similar in appearance. The
crown, nape, and upper back are cinnamon-brown, while the back, wings, and tail
are a slightly duller brown. The breast and belly are white with large dark
brown spots on the breast, sides, and flanks. It has white eye rings and pink
legs. Young birds look similar to adults, but have additional spots on the
back, neck, and wing coverts.
Call
The male has one
of the most beautiful songs of all birds in North America.
The unique song has three parts. The first sub song component is often
inaudible unless the listener is close, and consists of two to six short,
low-pitched notes such as bup, bup, bup. The middle part is a loud phrase often
written ee-oh-lay, and the third part is a ventriloquial, tril.
Food
The Wood Thrush
is an omnivore, and feeds preferentially on soil invertebrates and larvae, but
will also eat fruits. In the summer, it feeds on insects continuously in order
to meet daily metabolic needs. It forages mainly on the forest floor, flipping
leaves over with their bills to reveal insects.
Breeding
Wood Thrushes are
monogamous. Breeding pairs form in mid-April to early-May, and usually last
throughout the breeding season. The female chooses the nest site and builds the
nest. Two to four pale blue eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for
11 to 14 days. Both parents feed the young. The chicks fledge in 12–15 days.
The parents continue to feed them for a further 21 to 31 days. About 50
percent of all mated pairs are able to raise two broods, ranging in size from 2
to 4 chicks.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
The Wood Thrush
has declined 43 percent since 1966. This thrush faces threats both to its North
American breeding grounds and Central American wintering grounds. Forest fragmentation in North American forests has
resulted in both increased nest predation and increased cowbird parasitism, significantly
reducing their reproductive success.
Birdwatching
It prefers favors
areas with running water, moist ground, and high understory cover.