(Phyllis Carlson photo) A male varied thrush, a predominantly Pacific West Coast species and a relative of the American robin, settles on a branch in Pembine, Wis.

In an otherwise drab winter so far in the region, one unusual bird can add a splash of color — and excitement.

Phyllis Carlson of Quinnesec reported earlier this week that two varied thrushes had been seen in the Pembine, Wis., area. She was able to go down to the home and get photos of one, a male, but the second — lighter in color, the homeowner said — was absent though later returned. Both continued to visit the feeder through the week, Carlson said.

This relative of the American robin looks similar to its cousin, with brown and orange plumage. But the varied thrush has an eyebrow stripe, its color extends from bill to feet and it has a dark band across its chest, unlike the robin’s solid “red breast” and white-streaked throat.

While this is predominantly a Pacific West Coast species, nesting in dark mature forests from Alaska to northern California, the varied thrush is classified as “rare” in Wisconsin, which means it’s found annually in the state but with fewer than eight records a year, usually in winter, according to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. In January 2023, for example, the WSO mentioned one in Door County and another in Clark County.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Bird website, https://www.allaboutbirds.org, describes the varied thrush as shy, yet they will come to backyard feeders. Like robins, they favor fruit in fall and winter when available, but the varied thrush will switch that up with seeds and nuts as well.

It was a great find in what has proven to be a lackluster winter in terms of birds. Even the final arrival of decent snow in the region didn’t drive much new to the feeders — a couple tree sparrows, a single pine sisken. American goldfinches have been the only species at Six Mile Lake this year that are outdoing what was around last winter.

Carlson said though she’s heard of evening grosbeaks and pine siskens elsewhere in the area, none of the former and only five of the latter have made an appearance at her feeders. She did have a red-headed woodpecker, a little unusual for this time of year.

At least the Bohemian waxwings remain, pecking at the last hanging fruit on the neighbor’s apple trees within the past week.

With the weather expected to turn warmer this week, what little snow we got likely won’t last to drive more birds to the feeders. It could prove to be a long wait until things pick up with spring migration.

Betsy Bloom can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 240, or bbloom@ironmountaindailynews.com.