LittleRed

A breeding resident of the RGV in Texas a few years back they were called a Clay-colored Robin but then they were renamed a Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) even though they are both part of the same family of birds. The widely dispersed American Robin (Turdus migratorius) that graces all our lawns are of the same genus. If anybody would like to observe this bird in action check out the Cornell Lab Bird Cam Panama Fruit Feeders site at the allaboutbirds.org website. There usually quite a few feeding there day and night. They are a real fruit lover. These pics were taken a few years back during one of my sorties to the valley and had been stuck on a hard drive of mine since then. Been going through a few of my files to find something to do on a cold snowy nite up north. Usually am down with these birds at this time of year but some character with a white lab coat and a stethoscope is disagreeing with me this year. No out of country health insurance, no south for me. Cant afford your hospital costs. Next year (maybe).

LittleRed (Ron)

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fetzler Loc: North West PA

There are no robins that are native to north America. The American Robin ( Turdus migratorius) is actually a thrush. The popular name results from the red breast that is somewhat similar to the unrelated European Robin (Erithacus rubecula). Old world robins belong the family Petroicidae (Asia and Australia) or Muscicapidae and in particular the subfamily Saxicolinae, Chats. Robins are old world birds.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Two nice images. And thanks for the narrative.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I forgot to mention earlier that your images are excellent. I have nit seen this species at they are not native to places that I have lived.

LittleRed

Thanks for looking and commenting kpmac, tis appreciated.

LittleRed (Ron)

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent shots.

LittleRed

First, thank you for visiting and the kind comment.
Yes, l knew that these birds were of one of the main Thrush families the Turdus group. That I should have mentioned in my original posting. That makes the American Robin also a true Thrush but due an error by our ancestors was incorrectly called a robin. This was due to them being somewhat lookalikes (but only in coloration I think). But I don’t think we will ever see an “American Thrush”. In that case it’s “ once a robin, always a robin “ 😋😋
Like I said if you want to see this bird live you need to visit RGV area as these bird are for the most part a Mexican native. But slowly and surely they have been moving northward as the weather patterns have been changing. I first encountered this bird in 09 in the Bentsen State Park right on the border. At that time it was a vagrant species and still quite rare in the USA. Took all one day of searching before I was able to spot one. It was a “lifer” for me and my wife. At that time it was always called a Clay-Colored Robin even though it carried Thrush species name. Made me ? It at the time but all the people I met and spoke too at the time insisted it was a Robin. However there were a few old timer birders that were at that time calling it a Grey’s Thrush. But in 2013 when my posted pictures were taken almost everybody I encountered in the same area had changed their tune and were calling them correctly as a Clay-Colored Thrush. I think the real change in title came about that time and was a result of a decree from the ABA. Also it went from being a virtual rarity in 09 to being quite numerous in 13 especially right on the border (Bentsen-Rio Grande SP, Santa Anna NWR, Salineno Wildlife Preserve and Sabal Palm Sanctuary to name a few sites I have seen these birds)
Even though these birds are slowly moving north there is no hope in hell either I or you will see it in our backyard in our lifetime. I live on the east coast of Lake Superior and am too far north. But contrary to what a lot of people say the weather patterns are drastically changing leading to some interesting events occurring. Call it what you want i.e. global warming or whatever there are changes occurring. For example for years our American Robins deserted our frigid north for the sunny south in the fall. However for the past few years we have getting frequent visits all winter from some these Robins/Thrushes at our feeders to get their fruit and mealworms. Why?? Don’t know but I guess anything is possible nowadays.

LittleRed (Ron)