Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
The Varied Thrush seemed to be present in the East Bay in greater numbers than usual for the winter of 2014-15. This was a drought year, and some speculated that their usual food sources were too thin and caused them to seek other territory. On the left is a Varied Thrush observed at Lake Anza in Tilden Regional Park, CA on Dec. 16, 2014. On the right is one that I observed at my home in north Berkeley, CA on Feb. 18, 2015. (Click on images to see enlarged versions.)