Varied Thrush

During our 10 March 2022 stroll in the Woodard Bay Natural Area near Olympia, we walked into a mixed flock of Varied Thrushes and American Robins. Although both species are thrushes and similar in size, they are not closely related. Varied Thrushes appear to be more closely related to Aztec Thrushes in Mexico or to a number of Asian species. In any event, Varied Thrushes are among our favorite birds. They are common enough in Washington but tend to be vagrants away from the Pacific Northwest. The scalloped pattern on the females’ flanks is as stunning as the males’ orange and black plumage.