Birds of Arlington - Wood Thrush

Birds of Arlington

Wood Thrush

(Hylocichla mustelina)

Genders Alike

Present: Summer & Migration

Visual Identification

Where and When to see them

Conservation Ethics

The wood thrush is a species that has suffered immense declines in recent decades and needs to recover. So when watching them it is wise to stay a great distance away from them and not startle them, as they might find this area uncomfortable and leave, therefore limiting their breeding ground options. To protect them even further, consider planting a native plant garden. Arlington’s woodland habitat is declining and plays a vital role in wood thrush recovery, and by making a native plant garden out of your yard, you protect them and know that you are helping the environment. It also lowers your water and energy bills!

Visual Identification

Sexes alike. Both the male and female have a rufous back that becomes duller as the feathers work their way down the body. The crest area is a vibrant rufous when raised. The breast, throat, and flanks are all white and speckled with black spots. The auriculars are gray with small black stripes throughout. They also have pale-pink legs.

Voice

Their song is a beautiful, flute-like, and melodious composition of awe. It cannot be described better with words of the english language. The song is sometimes shorted or has modified phrases. They will emit “bups” and “pits," occasionally in volleys.

Habitat

Both the male and female Wood Thrushes spend most of their time in dense woodland, on the ground. This includes riparian woods, mature forest, and densely vegetated open woods. They are more often seen after rain.

Behavior

Wood thrushes are very secretive and shy compared to most thrushes. You will likely hear them more than you see them. They forage like robins, turning over leaves to find insects or berries. They hop faster than robins. When going to forage someplace new, they will usually perch sideways on a small vertical tree/sapling/snag (a few feet off the ground) and investigate the new area. When singing they are usually still.

They are solitary or in pairs.

The Wood Thrush has a unique hopping style. They will hop and/or run for a few paces, then stop, sometimes look around, then hop/run again. If there is a log, stump, small mound, or rock in their way, they will simply hop on top of it and stop, then keep going.

Comparisons

Hermit Thrush

The Hermit Thrushes look very similar, but there are a few key differences. The head of the Hermit Thrush lacks the vibrant rufous on the head and has much more rufous on the tail. The Hermit thrush has a buff-tan underside while the Wood Thrush has a pure white one. The Hermit Thrush has less to no bold streaking on the flanks, while that is where the streaking is concentrated on the Wood Thrush. The Wood Thrush has a paler face with stripes on the cheeks. The Wood Thrush also likes to spend most of their time on the ground, while the Hermit Thrush spend more time in brush, trees, and bushes.

Where and When to see them

They are most commonly seen at Lubber Run Park. They are uncommon in Glencarlyn Park and Longbranch park.

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