Rufous-backed Robin
Turdus rufopalliatus
Handsome thrush of tropical woodlands, gardens, and forests in lowlands and lower foothills of West Mexico with isolated populations in Mexico City and Oaxaca City. Feeds on ground, in fruiting trees and bushes and at times in small flocks, often with Great Kiskadees and Social Flycatchers. Like most thrushes, can be rather wary. Note rusty back and breast, blue-gray head, and yellow bill. Some birds in coastal Nayarit ("Grayson’s Thrush") notably paler and duller overall; mainly seen around San Blas, where greatly outnumbered by typical bright birds.
Identification
This species resembles its widespread relative the American robin in general appearance, but is a bit smaller at 21.5–24 cm (8.5–9.4 in) long, with an average wingspan of 39.4 cm (15.5 in) and weight of 74 g (2.6 oz). It is named for the adult's rufous or olive-rufous upper back, which contrasts with the grayish head, nape, and rump. The chest and flanks are also rufous. The belly and undertail coverts are white; the throat is white with many black streaks. The bill and eye-ring are yellow. Females are typically somewhat duller-colored than males. Juveniles, like other juvenile Turdus thrushes, are spotted below; they are browner and have pale flecks above.<p>The subspecies of the Islas Tres Marías, also found around San Blas, Nayarit, is sometimes considered a separate species, Grayson's robin or Grayson's thrush, Turdus graysoni (Ridgway, 1882). It looks "washed out", with little rufous tinting.<p>The song is slow and warbling, with repetition of phrases. An example is "weedele loo loo freerlii..." The alarm call is a long, mellow, descending whistle, "cheeoo or teeeuu". Other calls resemble those of the American robin; the flight call is thinner.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turdus rufopalliatus
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Turdus
Range and habitat
The rufous-backed robin inhabits dry deciduous forests, including the edges, and in human-planted habitats, at heights from the ground to high in trees. Its main range extends from southeastern Sonora to the southeastern corner of Oaxaca along the coast and in the Río Balsas drainage. The isolated populations in Mexico City and Oaxaca City are probably descended from escaped cage birds. A number of vagrants have reached the Mexican-border states of the United States, where they are often found in riparian woods.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This species is shyer than the American robin. In winter it often forms flocks. The diet is typical of thrushes: fruit and invertebrates, especially insects. Reproduction resembles that of other Turdus species. The eggs are whitish with heavy red-brown markings. In regard to nesting, nests are usually made of plant material mixed with mud, found in trees and shrubs, and can hold about 2-3 nestlings One of the parents tends to build the nest, while both sexes care for the nestlings and defend the nest territory.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bolivian Spinetail
Cranioleuca henricae
Large arboreal spinetail restricted to the upper Cotacajes river valley in NW Bolivia, where primarily known from the Inquisivi area in open woodland near treeline. From the similar Ash-browed Spinetail by whitish breast and pale nape. Song a very high, accelerating series of about 20 squeaks given over ~1.5 seconds that drops slightly in pitch over the course of the song.
Brown Trembler
Cinclocerthia ruficauda
A bright-eyed, hefty billed bird of forests and scrublands. Tends to hold its tail cocked up and wings drooped, especially when feeding. Typically appears almost entirely warm brown; dark above and paler below with some gray on head. Gray Trembler lacks the brown hues of Brown Trembler and has some degree of white below. White-breasted Thrasher has largely bright white underparts and a dark red eye (not yellow as in Brown Trembler). Song is a slow jumble of rich whistles and high-pitched sibilant notes. Calls include scattered whistles and harsh scolding notes.
Streaked Bowerbird
Amblyornis subalaris
A fairly small bowerbird of foothill and lower montane forest. Dull brown color with some subtle streaking on the throat and breast. Male has a long, orange crest flowing from the back of the head. Creates a hutlike bower. Similar to the MacGregor's Bowerbird, but Streaked Bowerbird is found lower down, is smaller and streaked. Call, sounds like a small dog barking “wak!”.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.