The robust, long-legged Wood Thrush is closely related to the American Robin and thrushes of the genus Catharus, such as the Bicknell’s Thrush and Swainson’s Thrush. Its scientific name, Hylocichla mustelina, translates roughly as “weasel-colored woodland thrush,” a reference to this bird’s rich red-brown head, back, wings, and tail.
The Wood Thrush’s haunting, flute-like song is made possible by some very specialized anatomy. Like all songbirds, Wood Thrushes have a Y-shaped voice box, called a syrinx. During his three-part song, a male Wood Thrush actually sings pairs of notes simultaneously, which harmonize and blend to produce ringing, ethereal tones. An individual bird can sing unique versions of each song part, and one male Wood Thrush can easily sing more than 50 distinct songs!
Also known as: Song Thrush, Swamp Angel, Wood Robin
American Bird Conservancy stands up for birds across the Americas. We halt bird extinctions, conserve vital habitats, eliminate key threats, and build the capacity of our partners.
