A Varied Thrush has Become a Welcome Visitor in my Home.

11/17/2013-after being harried to the point of complete exhaustion by the resident crows and gulls in our area; this Varied Thrush (female) then hit one of the windows in our apartment building and was almost dead when I picked her up of the adjacent side walk. 11/19/2013-as you can see, from the photo, she has recovered nicely; but, has, none the less, consented to remain visiting me and my six budgies for a while longer. Shortly before the second photo was taken, I placed her little house, with the door open, on the side walk, near where I first found her. She ventured out about two feet but then  quickly returned. It is my guess that she does not particularly like the cold, wet, or today, windy; weather. Common in the Cascades, Northern Rockies, and Pacific Coast, Varied Thrushes forage for insects in summer and switch to berries and seeds in winter. She is shown here (top photo) consuming her favourite meal (as a visitor in my home) of cranberries, wild blueberries and raw, shelled sunflower seeds. Notice her body position in the photo below; a pose also commonly assumed by Robins. In fact, Varied Thrushes are often called "Winter Robins".

So far, her only  complaints: it is her well considered opinion that both blueberries and cranberries should be cut in half; and sunflower seeds broken or cracked, before being served to a dainty little lady of her stature. Also, the house I provided is not large enough (requires cleaning at least three times a day) but she still prefers it to being outside--for NOW. She has let it be known that for her to truly enjoy living in any bird house it must contain; at least, one small mountain. We will see what happens, tomorrow.

UPDATE: 11/20/2013, 0805-My little Varied visitor has just, reluctantly, returned to Nature, where she belongs.The winds have subsided today. I also took her out toward the back of the yard where there are several juniper and pine trees that she can use for shelter. So, although there were numerous crows and gulls in the area she did finally decide that it was now or never. She was beginning to resemble  a cross between "Chubby Chicken and a Christmas turkey, from eating too much. I was beginning to think that I might just have to sign her up with Jenny Craig. I do wish her well.