Identification - This bird is about the size of a robin. It resembles a robin but has a black mask topped by an orange eye brow and the underparts are orange with a black chest band. It also has a gray cap, nape, and back and darker wings and tail. Also the wings have two orange wing bars and show other orange flashes when in flight.
Morsels - The Varied Thrush is a bird of the deep forests of the West and has not become a familiar backyard bird, except when bad weather drives it into residential areas. It often ends up feeding on old fruit, especially wind fall apples. Two Varied Thrushes competing for food may display and become very aggressive toward each other. Each bird will extend its head forward, hold its body in a horizontal crouch and when the situation becomes really heated, spread and raise its tail and wings. Such a display usually serves to drive one of the birds away.
