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[[image: woodthrush.jpg  ]]

'''Common Name:''' Wood Thrush

'''Scientific Name:''' Hylocichla mustelina

'''Size:''' 7-8 inches (19-21 cm)

'''Habitat:''' North America; throughout the Eastern US. '''Summer Range:''' Breeds in eastern North America, from southern Ontario, southwestern Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia southward to northern Florida, westward to the eastern parts of the Great Plains in Texas, to eastern Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. May be slowly expanding its range northward.  '''Winter Range:''' In lowlands of Central America, from southern Mexico to western Panama; rarely in southeastern United States. Found in dense woodland habitats.

'''Status:''' Least Concern. '''Global Population:''' 14,000,000 Mature individuals.  There is some concern to its susceptibility to cowbird parasitism has made it a heavily studied species. Even though it is one of the most common species of Eastern forests, the Wood Thrush is of high conservation concern because of steady, long-term population declines, nearly throughout its range. This species has declined 43% overall since 1966. This species seems to be dependent on large tracts of mature forest in some parts of its range, but is tolerant of disturbance in other areas. In winter, it is highly vulnerable to tropical deforestation in the lowlands of Central America. Understanding the precise breeding habitat requirements of this species, and how they vary geographically, will be important for reversing population declines and maintaining future populations.

'''Diet:''' Insects. Forages near the ground, generally in shrubs.

'''Breeding:''' The male arrives and establishes a territory several days before the female arrives on the breeding ground. The female leads silent circular flights about 3-6 ft (1-1.8 m) from the ground, with the male chasing the female. Generally six or more flights take place in succession. In between each flight the pair perches together and may feed one another. Nests are built on the lower limbs of a tree or shrub, hidden among leaves in a shady area. Generally near or against the trunk. Also found in a crotch or fork supported by small branches. May be anchored to a branch with mud. The Nest is an open cup of leaves and grasses lined with mud, placed on lower limbs of tree or shrub. 3-4 smooth, blue-green eggs with no markings are laid.

'''Cool Facts:''' One of the most common woodland birds of the East, the Wood Thrush is best known for its hauntingly beautiful song. A large and heavily spotted thrush, it is a bird of the interior forest, seldom seen outside the deep woods.

Thrushes have a complicated syrinx (song box) that allows them to sing two notes at the same time and harmonize with their own voice. The wood thrush has been observed "anting." Anting occurs when a bird picks up a single ant or group of ants and rubs them on its feathers. The purpose of this behavior is not well understood. It is thought that birds may be able to acquire defensive secretions from the ants possibly used for some medicinal purpose. Also may be a supplement to the bird's own preen oil.

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