Red Legged Thrush is Popular Attraction at the Key West Tropical Forest

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – Bird watchers from all over the world have been ‘flocking’ to the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden to catch a glimpse of a Red Legged Thrush, a bird seen only 3 times before in the United States.   The first sighting of this Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus rubripes/coryi) in the Garden was on September 10th and it has been spotted daily since then. As they are non-migratory, it is assumed that he/she was brought here on the winds of one of the hurricanes that formed south of Cuba. What a lucky guy to land in a place that must seem very much like home!

Word of the sighting spread through online messaging and the birding website eBird.  Within a couple of days birders were waiting for the gates to open at 10a.m.  Its appearance is highly variable across its range but throughout is unique in its blue-tinged gray plumage combined with bright orange-red legs and eye ring.

With three fresh-water ponds and areas of dense tropical hardwood hammock the Garden is a magnet for rare and migrating birds.  Birder or not, it’s a perfect time to visit the Garden. The Garden is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation and all proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program.  The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.

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