World Birding Center

Clay-colored Robin /mirlo pardo (Turdus grayi)

Voice: Call is a cat-like mewing, “tee-weeooip”; song is varied but steady tempo, with repeated phrases.

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Status: Uncommon resident along the Rio Grande corridor from Santa Ana NWR to woodland below Falcon Dam. In winter, birds irregularly wander east to Sabal Palm Grove (and in some years to the coast). Also a record just west of the Valley in San Ygnacio. Clay-colored Robins may also be found in residential areas, like Brownsville and McAllen, during the winter months.

Habitat: Riparian corridor of the Rio Grande, including refuge woodlands from the middle and western Valley. Prefers dense woodlands where it may be found in trees or on the forest floor.

Best Spots: Bentsen SP (inner loop), Santa Ana NWR, Anzalduas County Park, World Birding Center at Roma Bluffs, and Falcon Dam area woodlands.

Similar Species: Although similar to American Robin in structure, Clay-colored Robin is different in both plumage (a uniform tawny-olive with greenish yellow bill) and behavior (often secretive). Clay-colored Robin more closely resembles White-throated Robin, a Mexico species that is accidental to southernmost Texas. White-throated Robin, however, is dark headed and dark-billed, sports a bold white crescent on throat, and is a grayer color below. White-throated Robin is a darker bird overall, lacking the warm tones of Clay-colored Robin.

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All Bird call recordings © John C. Arvin.

Call (956) 584-2731 to hear or submit an alert.

Nine Unique Locations

A Birder's Eye View of the Seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Welcome to a birder’s eye view of the seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy our annual cycle! The resulting avifauna in deep South Texas is the most diverse north of the Mexican border. The four county area that makes up the lower Rio Grande Valley has recorded over 500 species of birds. This is more species of birds than have been recorded in all but two or three entire states. Small wonder that birders from across the continent make pilgrimages to the region. Happy Birding!

What is a checklist?

A "Bird Checklist" is a complete list of birds that have been seen or heard in a specific region like Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Checklists can be used as a personal diary of your travels.

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