El Yunque National Forest

Red-legged Thrush (Eng.), Zorzal de Patas Coloradas, Zorzal de Patas Rojas (Sp.), Turdus plumbeus (Sci.), resident, West Indies, including Bahamas islands, Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.

Information compiled by Alan Mowbray, Interpretive Media Writer, EYNF/LEF

General Information:
The Red-legged Thrush is found only on the islands of the West Indies. It is prevalent in Puerto Rico, but is absent from the Virgin Islands.

Description:
Approximately 11 inches (28 centimeters) long and weighing 2.6 ounces (75 grams,) the Red-legged Thrush has a slate-gray body and wings, with black and white streaks on the throat. It has red legs, bill and eye-rings (see photo, above.) The bill color of the male bird changes from red to black during breeding season.

Habits:
Turdus plumbeus walks upright on the forest floor in search of food. It eats mostly fruits, but will also consume insects, including caterpillars, beetles, ants, crickets, wasps, and will occasionally forage for snails, lizards and bird eggs. It is crepuscular, most active at dawn or dusk. The Red-legged Thrush’s call is a harsh, wek-wek (Click to hear sound). It builds a nest of leaves and grass usually placed on a tree limb. The female lays 3 to 4 light-green or whitish eggs.

Habitat:
Turdus plumbeus is found in forests, coffee plantations and wooded areas, in medium to higher elevations throughout the island.

Where to look for this animal in the EYNF:
In forested areas adjoining nature trails in the El Yunque National Forest, especially: Big Tree Trail, Baño de Oro Trail and El Portal Trail.

Additional Information:
Biologist
USDA Forest Service
El Yunque National Forest
HC-01 Box 13490
Rio Grande, PR 00745
787 888 1810

Oberle, Mark W., 2000, Puerto Rico’s Birds in Photographs, Second edition, Editorial Humanitas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, p 145 (photo and text.)

Raffaele, Herbert A., 1989, Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, pp 31 (plate), 149 (text.)

Mowbray, Alan M. 2006, El Portal Rainforest Center Interpretive Guide, USDA Forest Service, El Yunque National Forest, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. p 46 (photo and text.)