About the Rufous-backed Thrush
The rufous-backed thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to Mexico but is also a casual visitor to the southwestern United States. It is also known as the rufous-backed robin.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The rufous-backed thrush is similar in size and shape to the American robin (T. migratorius). It is 21.5 to 25.5 cm (8.5 to 10 in) long and weighs 72 to 85 g (2.5 to 3.0 oz). It has a wingspan of about 40 cm (16 in). The sexes have similar plumage though females are overall duller than males. Adults of the nominate subspecies T. r. rufopalliatus have a pale gray head with black lores and a yellow eye-ring. Their mantle, wings, and tail are pale gray. Their back and scapulars are dull chestnut with a gray wash. Their throat and the sides of their neck are white with dark streaks. Voice: The rufous-backed thrush's song is "a leisurely rich warbling includes 2-3x repetition of some phrases". Other vocalizations include a "plaintive, mellow, drawn-out whistle, cheeoo or teeeuu, a fairly hard clucking chuk chuk chuk... or chok..., and a high, thin ssi or ssit, mostly in flight".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Rufous-backed Thrush lives
When to see the Rufous-backed Thrush
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Western Red-legged ThrushTurdus plumbeusThe western red-legged thrush is mainly slaty above with an either pale or rufous belly depending on the subspecies and a variably white and black throat.
Karoo ThrushTurdus smithiThis medium-sized bird has a length of about 24 cm.
Pale ThrushTurdus pallidusIt is 23 cm long.
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