A Bird to Watch For: Wood Thrush

I have to admit that I'm on a steep learning curve when it comes to bird identification.  My repertoire is limited to a few species, including crows, cardinals, and blue jays (which, despite their brilliant hue, are considered by some to be the ornithological equivalent to pigweed).  But the garden can provide opportunities to expand my knowledge.  I became intrigued when I learned that Steve and Joe, another gardener, reported to have heard a wood thrush.

A wood thrush is about 7-8 inches long and has a brown back and white chest with dark brown spots.  They tend to feed on the ground but sing when up in trees.  It's ethereal sound is difficult to describe, with melodic rising and falling notes often followed by a rapid trill.  This call had a profound effect on Henry David Thoreau, who once wrote, "The thrush alone declares the immortal wealth and vigor that is in the forest.  Whenever a man hears it, he is young, and Nature is in her spring."

I've had them pointed out to me while visiting conservation land near the White Mountains in New Hampshire; they generally need large areas of forest for their habitat.  But since the garden borders land designated as an urban wild and is located about two blocks away from Franklin Park (where a wood thrush was recently sighted) hearing one around dusk should not come as a complete surprise.  Next time I'm in the garden, I'll keep my ears open and eyes on the trees.