Seeking help with bird ID, northeastern VT, USA (1 Viewer)

[allieinvt]

Hi there,

I’m looking for help identifying a bird that has been frequenting my feeders for the past month. I live in northeastern Vermont and have never seen another like it before.
The bird is about the size of a robin and similar in shape, which makes me think it’s a type of thrush. It is mostly a dark gray with a striking orange throat chest, that transitions to a mottled white and brown underbelly. There is also a noticeable stripe across the eyes. I’ve attached photos, although they’re not the best quality.
My best guess is that it’s a female or juvenile varied thrush. From what I’ve read, Vermont is outside of its usual area. However, I first noticed it after a winter storm system blew in from the west, so my thought is maybe it got carried along. Anyway, any help would be most appreciated
Thank you!

 

[The Bird Nuts]

YES! That is a Varied Thrush! Great find!

 

[The Bird Nuts]

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies would love to know about this (I am from VT, by the way!). Varied Thrush is on the list of birds that they want documentation for. Are you able to fill out the Rare Bird Documentation form? https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/report/

 

[Seanbirds]

YES! That is a Varied Thrush! Great find!

Agreed!!

 

[NY_Birder]

Spectacular!

 

[Microtus]

Welcome to the Forum, allie. That is one nice Varied Thrush you have in Vermont. For what it's worth, the first Varied Thrush I ever saw was when I was visiting Massachusetts some 17 years ago.

 

[KC Foggin]

A lovely image of this Varied Thrush Andrew and I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[tom baxter]

Thats a pretty amazing sighting for your backyard! Almost certainly a review species for VT. Congrats!

 

[KenM]

A terrific find!, might it be a “variant” ie showing a white supercillium and wing bars, these are normally orange as is the breast, I wonder what gender it might be?👍

Cheers

 

[allieinvt]

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies would love to know about this (I am from VT, by the way!). Varied Thrush is on the list of birds that they want documentation for. Are you able to fill out the Rare Bird Documentation form? https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/report/

Thanks so much for the confirmation! I so appreciate all your comments. And I will definitely file documentation to get my little visitor on record.