On my way north on Route 9J, a bit south of Castleton-on-Hudson, I spotted a Wood Thrush just sitting on the other side of the road. After going past I pulled a quick three-point turn and went back hoping to get a good picture. I was surprised when the bird didn’t move at all, and figured something was wrong with it. So I pulled off the road, put the flashers on and went over and picked it up! There was nothing wrong with it at all, it was just a fledgling that that has not yet learned that roads are not a safe place to take a nap. The bird’s lack of a tail and the yellow coming from the bill made me think it was a fledgling but Rich has let me know it is actually an adult, which means it was probably hit by a car and stunned (thanks Rich!).

The bird didn’t struggle at all and when I put it down on the side of the road it just sat there. I took a couple of pictures and then the bird started hopping back into the road. I went after it, grabbed it, and looked up to see a truck heading my way!

Fortunately, the driver was paying attention and slowed down as I scampered back to the shoulder. While I was trying to figure out what to do the bird started to struggle a bit in my hand, so I placed him on the back of my other hand and he just sat there, even when I raised my hand up to my face to get a close look!

At this point I noticed a woman down the road a bit walking out to get her mail and I figured I could convince her to let me put the bird in her yard where she could keep an eye on it (and I could escape responsibility for the little guy). As I walked towards her though, the Wood Thrush flew from my hand, away from the road, into a thick stand of bushes. Whew…dilemma solved!

Oh, and I also had a close encounter with a fox today, but that story (and more pics) will have to wait until another day…enjoy your weekend!

And go check out Friday Ark#139, the every-Friday collection of animal pictures.