The Yigüirro or Clay-Colored Robin, National Bird of Costa Rica

The Yigüirro was declared the national bird on January 3rd, 1977, under the government of Mr. Daniel Oduber Quirós.

It was declared  as a tribute to his powerful and melodious singing that accompanies the entry of the rainy season for the good of the crops. The Yigüirro or Clay-Colored Robin is a familiar and well known bird because it stays close to the houses and its name is mentioned often in the typical songs, stories and literary works of Costa Rican authorities; it was considered an important figure in the Costa Rican folklore.

Its scientific name is Turdus grayi. It may also be called Clay-Colored Thrush; it can reach up to approximately 22 to 24 cm and weighs approximately from 74 grams to 76. Both, the male and female, have identical plumage, a brown or yellowish brown and little clearer in the throat and stomach. The iris is reddish brown, yellow beak and feet are brown.

This bird lives especially in open places. It feeds on various kinds of fruit trees. Also go much digging in the ground to beak and collect earthworms, snails, worms, insects, etc. It has only been found in America, from northeastern Mexico to northern Colombia, and in some places get different names, for example, the cas-cas in Panama.