muguet variado

1. Bird Name: Varied Thrush; Scientific Name: Ixoreus naevius

2. Appearance: The Varied Thrush is an eye-catching bird gifted with a vivid palette of colors. Males radiate a bold contrast of colors with burnt-orange undersides, deep slate-blue upper-parts, and a striking black band that visually separates their throat from their breast. Females bear subtler hues but share similar patterns. The beak is straight and slender. Their intense, dark eyes are a window to their elusive nature. Juveniles have dark, speckled undersides, making them distinct from mature adults.

3. Size: Varied Thrushes are not large birds; their body length varies from 20 to 24 cm (7.5–9.5 inches). The wingspan averages around 36 cm (14 inches). On average, they weigh between 65–100 grams (2.2–3.5 ounces).

4. Habitat & Distribution: Varied Thrushes thrive in the Americas’ cool, damp forests. They nestle in North America’s Pacific regions, including Alaska, Canada, and United States territories. Their preferred habitats are dense, wet forests with heavy undergrowth, often along the edges of streams or around swampy areas.

5. Interesting Facts: (i) Varied Thrushes are known for their haunting song, a whistling note that fluctuates in pitch, giving an eerily beautiful echo through the forests. (ii) During harsh winters, these birds can irregularly show up in large numbers far out of their typical range in an event known as an “irruption”. (iii) Even though they have a beautiful song, they are actually quite shy and tend to remain hidden in the forest undergrowth.

6. Diet: This species is omnivorous. Varied Thrush diet notably includes insects, berries, seeds, and fruits. During foraging, they can often be seen on the ground, flipping leaves and debris to uncover hidden meals.

7. Behavior & Sounds: Varied Thrushes are ground feeders. They use their bills to flip leaf litter in search of invertebrates, occasionally lunging forward to catch anything that tries to escape. Their song is a fabulous yet eerie whistle, a single note that modulates in pitch. Males sing to defend territories or attract females.

8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the Varied Thrush is of ‘Least Concern’. However, like all species that depend heavily on forests, their survival is inevitably tied to the preservation of their habitats.

9. Lifespan: In the wild, the Varied Thrush can live up to about a decade. Information about their lifespan in captivity is scarce due to their shy nature and preference for substantial, old-growth forests.

10. Notas adicionales:
Local Names: Other languages refer to the Varied Thrush as “Amerika-Drossel” in German, “Zorzal Variado” in Spanish, and “Grive à Collier” in French.
Human Interaction: Unlike some birds, the Varied Thrush doesn’t adapt well to human dominated environments. They are somewhat shy and prefer dense forests.
Role in Ecosystems: As ground feeders, the Varied Thrush helps control the insect population in their habitats. Moreover, through their feeding habits, they contribute to the dispersal of seeds, aiding in plant proliferation.