ML490600981

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

*MEGA; 3rd North American record (2nd Alaska record) initially on the southeast flank of Hutchinson Hill before it flew down to the celery below. I initially spotted a large brownish bird on the slope of Hutch that flew a short distance and I immediately called out a large thrush. We assembled and pushed slightly farther and it popped again and flew across us and landed down below in the flat land in a small draw. We were immediately struck by the size of this thrush. It was brownish above (much like a Catharus thrush) but significantly larger (i.e. American Robin-sized). It was remarkably long-tailed, and long/broad-winged. The size overall ruled out a Catharus thrush sp. The mantle color ruled out other more expected large thrushes. I mentioned Song Thrush to the group, and shortly after got a brief but excellent view at the bird on the ground facing me. It had distinct streaking/chevrons (noticeably different than spotting) that extended well down the belly and flanks overlayed on a buffy breast and whitish lower belly. It also exhibited a clear eyering and textured auricular. Song Thrush!! Chinese Thrush is ruled out by auricular pattern. Mistle Thrush is ruled out by lack of a sandy rump and whitish outer retrices. One photo also shows the tawny underwing (Mistle Thrush would be white). Song Thrush breeds no closer to the Pribilof Islands than Lake Baikal in Russia.

Technical information

Model

ILCE-9M2

Lens

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

ISO

2500

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1213 pixels x 809 pixels

Original file size

388.89 KB