May 02, 2012

Wood Thrush.



I apologize for the quality -- but it was dark and rainy the day I took this photo,
plus I think my hands were shaking.  

This was a first for me -- seeing a wood thrush at our feeders.
Specifically, he was enjoying an orange suet cake.

Here's what I learned at Whatbird.com about the wood thrush:


The Wood Thrush was first described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. It is best known for its hauntingly beautiful song.

It is the official bird of the District of Columbia.

The genus name is a direct translation of its common name, derived from the Greek words for woodland and thrush or fieldfare. The species name comes from the Latin mustela, or weasel.



A group of thrushes are collectively known as a "hermitage" and a "mutation" of thrushes.

Range and Habitat

Wood Thrush: Breeds from Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia south to Florida and Gulf of Mexico. Spends winters in tropics. Found in moist, deciduous woodlands with a thick understory; also well-planted parks and gardens.







On a side note, I saw my first hummingbird today.

Sadly, no photo -- but I'm sure he'll be back.

: : :

Sharing with World Bird Wednesday.

60 comments:

  1. Let's hope so.
    I came again to see you! And your blog...
    Hugs, BShell

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  2. Great shot of the Thrush! My hummers are back too, but I can't seem to be camera in hand when I see them.

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  3. beautiful photo!


    aw, love the birdsong!
    thanks for sharing:)

    xoxo

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  4. No hummers here yet . . . Your photo of a beautiful Thrush makes my day. I love the birds, watching them and listening to their distinct songs. We have had rain through the night and the morning brings the birds in throngs, signing too. (It helps that the feeders have just been filled.)

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  5. What a pretty song!

    Hopefully both the Wood Thrush and the Hummers will stick around!

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  6. What a lovely bird! I like its " Hello there1!" look.

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  7. What a lovely bird. And our hummers have been here for a couple weeks.

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  8. Gorgeous birds and I love the names for groups of them.

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  9. You've reminded me I need to put some nectar out, can't wait for the hummingbirds to return.

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  10. Gotta love birds. Have a great Wednesday! !!!

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  11. For those who wait, the hummingbirds always return!

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  12. I love this guy! Not sure whether the upper elevations of AZ have this little citizen or not. I know it would be too hot for him here in the desert. This morning I was coming home through the neighborhoods from Safeway and coming up to a stop sign I saw three birds on top of a small cactus attacking the fruit of the blossom. One was a dove, the other was probably sparrow and the third one caught my eye because he was green and red and blue. As I got closer I realized it was a cockatiel who'd probably escaped from somebody's home. I RACED the half block home to get my camera, ut when I got back they were gone. I kept thinking they'd come back the the freezer goods in my trunk were starting to cook. :( Darn.

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  13. I always love when you teach us new things..

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  14. i am going to have to watch more for these lovely birds.i have tomorrow off and may head your way up to Desota

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  15. I think the photo came out great!

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  16. He's very handsome! I must admit I have never seen a bird like that before. And he sings too? Wow! :)

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  17. Oh he's beautiful! I love how proud he looks.

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  18. It looks like a nice shot to me, and I do appreciate being able to hear its song.

    Yesterday I saw our first seasonal goldfinches - flashes of neon yellow with a sweet song, too. And a hummingbird buzzed by one of our windows last weekend. What a treat!

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  19. Just saw the first wood thrush of the year in the yard today! They are so beautiful! I thought it would be to early for the hummingbirds... I guess I need to get some food out there!! :)

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  20. Beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mette

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  21. How interesting... and I think the photo is great!

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  22. I wish I know my birds :D but I do enjoy seeing them and photos of them too. Have a nice week Nancy.

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  23. Good example of the wood Thrush. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  24. I thought your photo was a print at first! love it!

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  25. it doesn't matter if your picture is not perfect, it is the picture that is in your mind that counts!!

    i am seeing hummers also, i got pictures ;))))

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  26. Dark, rainy, or shaking hands, I love that photo! What a nice print that would make!

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  27. Ooohhh, he's purty! I have to contend with shaking hands also whenever I see a new bird variety. Wish I could be all cool and calm, but NO, my body betrays me every dang time!

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  28. Oh what a sweet, sweet song this pretty little bird sings...thanks for sharing, made me smile!!

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  29. That's a cute and chubby little bird. Doesn't look the type to come up with a haunting song, but then looks can be deceiving.

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  30. What a treat seeing a Wood Thrush! They have such a beautiful song.

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  31. Beautiful picture. It looks like a painting.

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  32. Regardless of the quality, it's a rather good photo. Lucky you to snap he when you did. And thank you for his song. Simply lovely.

    So nice to meet you.

    -debber

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  33. looks like a painting to me

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  34. I think it's just beautiful!

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  35. Beautiful and I love the sound from the video. I have put my hummer feeder up, but no sightings yet! Good for you!

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  36. That was a great photo - yes, I know the handshaking feeling... better to click and get the image rather than hesitate on technicalities!!

    Thanks too for including the video of the Wood Thrushes song. Just beautiful - the little trills are perfect. It's a knockout post Nancy :D)

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  37. Well, we don't always get the best, but even if you are critical... I like it!

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  38. wat a lovely song..
    new to your space nancy..
    interesting space you have
    happy following you..:)
    do stop by mine sometime
    Tasty Appetite

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  39. Lucky you! A beautiful photo and bird.

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  40. Ahhh... I just love the sweet song this bird sings.. I hope to see a humming bird photo soon!

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  41. the thrushes are beautiful song birds...i would love when they came to our feeders...

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  42. I didn't know anything about this bird! Thanks!

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  43. i know i left a comment here, it"s gone?? where did it go??

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  44. Great post! Thanks for the information!

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  45. It still is a very nice shot and i like the bird's way of looking at your direction

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  46. Congratulations on sighting the Wood Thrush! It's a beauty!

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  47. Wow, congrats on the wood thrush. It is a great bird to have in your yard. I love their sound. Wonderful post, have a great day!

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  48. I love your photo, no apology required at ALL!! Hope you can capture the hummer soon! :)

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  49. It is still a wonderful photo...I have not seen many thrushes...haven't seen one since I left home.

    We always had more of the brown thrashers...but don't have them here in town. But I see them out at the strip pits and out in the country.

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  50. I don't come across many around here unless I'm traipsing through the woods. Good processing.

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  51. Love the bird song. Sounds especially nice since I am in town at work. Good luck in getting a picture of the hummingbird. Those little guys are fast!

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  52. I'm not sure if we have these around here, but I'm going to keep an eye out for them. Beautiful!

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