Turdus plumbeus
The Western Red-legged Thrush, scientifically known as *Turdus plumbeus*, is a striking member of the thrush family (Turdidae), endemic to the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. Characterized by its overall slaty-grey plumage, this medium-sized bird typically measures 27-30 cm (11-12 inches) in length and weighs between 74-88 grams. Its most distinctive features are its vivid red-orange legs, bill, and a prominent red eye-ring, contrasting sharply with its dark body. The throat often displays ...
Found in a wide array of forested and semi-open habitats, including humid broadleaf forests, dry deciduous woodlands, plantations, gardens, and urban parks, typically from sea level up to moderate elevations in mountainous regions.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on a variety of invertebrates such as insects, worms, and snails, supplemented significantly by fruits, berries, and occasionally small lizards. Forages mainly on the ground by probing and turning leaf litter, but also gleans from foliage and snatches flying insects.
Primarily diurnal, the Red-legged Thrush is often observed actively foraging on the ground or within the lower canopy, especially during dawn and dusk. It employs a characteristic run-and-pause foraging technique, often flipping leaf litter to uncover invertebrates. During the breeding season, ma...
The Red-legged Thrush (*Turdus plumbeus*) is broadly distributed across the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. Its primary range encompasses Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands, extending north to the Bahamas and east to Dominica. It is pri...
Least Concern
- The Red-legged Thrush is known for its remarkable vocal mimicry, often incorporating snippets of other bird species' songs into its own complex melodies. - There are at least seven recognized subspecies of Red-legged Thrush, each with slight variations in plumage, bill color, and size across di...