Red-legged Thrush Turdus plumbeus Scientific name definitions

The Red-legged Thrush is a non-migratory Caribbean species found mostly in the Greater Antilles and Bahamas, but also on Dominica, in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of several, well-differentiated subspecies, most of which originally were described as full species. Common features are their bluish-gray upperparts, variegated tails that usually have white corners, throat with varying amounts of black and white, tarsi that are red or at least orange-yellow, a bill that is usually red (but may be black), and a usually red eye-ring. The Red-legged Thrush has a tendency to turn its tail somewhat upwards at least part of the time, and prefers to walk or run, but will fly away if disturbed. It occurs in various forested habitats with some differences in preference among the islands, but tolerates disturbed areas such as partial cutting or second growth. The Red-legged Thrush has wide-ranging food preferences, including fruits and seeds as well as invertebrates and small vertebrates. This adaptability seems to include both adult and nestling food. Nesting season seems to vary geographically, and clutch size is usually 2‒3. It does not face any immediate conservation threats, and is considered common across much of its range.