Thrushes (family Turdidae) are well represented in Arizona, where both resident and migratory species can be found across forests, deserts, and riparian habitats. The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the most familiar, nesting in mountain forests and appearing widely in winter at lower elevations. Bluebirds are also part of this group: the Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a common resident in woodlands, the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) winters in open country and higher grasslands, and the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a scarce but regular visitor.
Several Catharus thrushes pass through the state in migration. The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is widespread as both a breeder and winter visitor, while Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) occur in small numbers. Very rare migrants are the Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus), and Veery (Catharus fuscescens) while the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), an eastern forest specialist, is only a casual visitor.
Other notable thrushes include Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi), a sleek, gray bird of coniferous forests; the Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus), a Mexican species that regularly strays into southeastern Arizona; and the striking Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius), a bird of the Pacific Northwest that appears only rarely in Arizona during winter.