Female Varied Thrush
by Bryce W. Robinson
This winter, at least two Varied Thrush have taken refuge in a very wild city park in Boise, Idaho. This park, Kathryn Albertson Park, is my go to spot for birding close to home. There have been a great collection of birds there this winter, including White-throated Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, Evening Grosbeak, Both species of Waxwing, and the list goes on.
I’ve made it a personal goal to strengthen my video archive. Given the regularity of my sightings of both Varied Thrush and White-throated Sparrow, I’ve decided to focus on filming these birds while I have the opportunity.
Filming such secretive skulkers is tough. I’ve spent some time trying, botched multiple opportunities, and ended up empty handed time and again. Yesterday, the active White-throated Sparrow didn’t cooperate as usual, but a female Varied Thrush gave me the opportunity for the clip I’ve been hoping for. Although these clips are short, and at times anticlimactic, they are my goal. My goal is to create an opportunity for birders to get to know particular species a little better through more exposure to their plumage, posture, and behaviors, and re-live some birding moments through those short glimpses that make our day. These clips seem simple, but with most birds a decent video requires loads of persistence, patience, a little skill, and a moment of luck. The end result is so exciting for me, and something I plan to keep working on for the rest of my life.
ornithologi.com 
Varied Thrushes and Spotted Towhees visit our backyard regularly, but they are very skittish around humans. the Dark-Eyed Juncos, Red-Shafted Northern Flickers, and Downy Woodpeckers, not so much. 🙂
The Varied Thrush is so secretive, that is why I was so glad to film the bird. I really wish I had them at my feeder though. Must be great! I appreciate the comment.
we’ve been fortunate to photograph a few Varied Thrushes 🙂 still, they’re easier to capture with the camera than the Anna’s Hummingbird we see all too little of! 🙂
Anna’s?! So, Varied Thrush and Anna’s at your feeder this time of year? You must be in Oregon!
close 🙂 — Vancouver, BC Canada.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are apparently all-year-rounders, but the Varied Thrushes are only here for the winter, and it has been a rather mild winter in Vancouver this year. so good for all the birds, resident and migratory!
our suet and seed feeders have had to be replenished every day! 🙂
so far, the Anna’s Hummingbird has only sipped from our sugar water feeder a few times.
Very neat. I love Vancouver. Well, enjoy your feeders, and thanks for the comment!
After multiple visits to the park, I had almost given up on trying to find the thrush you filmed, but your great video clip has inspired me to not give up yet! Wonderful footage.
Thanks Junice! I hope you make it back to see the bird. If you’d like, I could help you out sometime soon. It takes a little patience, and a little luck.
I so appreciate your willingness to help us find the thrush, Bryce. Unlike Jesse, I don’t have as much patience as I should in the field, but I took your advice today and slowed waaaayy down. We spent about an hour in the area and got several good looks at the bird as it moved through the trees and brush. What a beauty! We even managed to get a couple decent pictures, so I was doing a happy dance on our way out of the park!
I’m so glad you were able to see the bird Junice. And a photo to top it off! Makes me want to do a happy dance myself!
This clip certainly wasn’t “anticlimactic” for me, Bryce. It was great fun to watch the thrush doing its thing for a few moments. I don’t recall having ever seen the species…
The Varied Thrush is a bit less common down your way Ron. The most common spot that people see them is Garr Ranch, and I believe at times they have been seen in City Creek Canyon. I’m glad the clip wasn’t anticlimactic for you!
One of these days I hope to see and photograph a beautiful Varied Thrush! Loved the video Bryce.
Thanks Mia. I hope you get too see one soon as well.
I had a varied thrush in my yard today! It was the first time this winter to spot it. My husband put out some rolled oats on the snow and this bird loved them.
They’re great birds Leslie. I’m glad you have a Varied Thrush in your yard. What a treat. Thanks for the comment!