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====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Omnivorous, eating insects, berries, nuts and seeds, as well as earthworms, snails and sometimes lizards. | Omnivorous, eating insects, berries, nuts and seeds, as well as earthworms, snails and sometimes lizards. | ||
| − | == | + | ====Vocalisation==== |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | '''Call''': A sharp lip-smacking type sound. | |
| − | A sharp lip-smacking type sound. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 19:03, 17 December 2008
- Toxostoma rufum
Identification
L. 29 cm (11.5 inches)
- Brown or reddish-brown above
- White breast
- Throat streaked with brown
- Two white wing bars
- Long tail
- Relatively large and curved bill
Distribution
Its breeding range includes the United States and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a partial migrant, with northern birds wintering in the southern USA, where it occurs throughout the year. There is a single British record of this unlikely transatlantic vagrant.
Taxonomy
Polytypic. Consists of two subspecies.
Habitat
This bird is usually seen scratching around in leaf litter on the ground or flitting around in thick, tangles of bushes/vines. However during the breeding season they tend to seek out the highest branches at the very top of a tree to sing their double-phrases territorial song. At these times they are very conspicuous.
Behaviour
Retiring type that prefers thickets and heavy brush, often searching for food in dry leaves on the ground. In fact, it is more likely to be heard than seen, not only because of the rattling of leaves, but also because of its call
Diet
Omnivorous, eating insects, berries, nuts and seeds, as well as earthworms, snails and sometimes lizards.
Vocalisation
Call: A sharp lip-smacking type sound.
