A group of Vermont scientists who specialize in a bird called the Bicknell’s thrush say they’ve found what appears to be a hybrid of it on Stratton Mountain.
The director of the Norwich-based Vermont Center for Eco Studies Chris Rimmer says his group has found a bird that appears to be hybrid of the thrush and the veery, which is a bird usually found in much lower elevations.
Rimmer says the bird, which has the physical traits of both birds, has some genetic material or behavioral material of a Bicknell’s thrush.
The rare species expert for the state Fish and Wildlife Department Steve Parren said the two birds are closely related.
Rimmer says DNA analysis is needed to determine if the bird hybrid is a sign of climate change.