A New Identification Challenge

Like a bird ID challenge? Here's a good one. I picked up this photo a few days ago at a suet feeder. Unfortunately the bird stayed largely out of range and its head is out of the frame. I perked up because the immediate impression is that this bird is a thrush. The splotchy breast is a clear marker. At this time of year there are really only two candidates who look like this: a Brown Thrasher, which is a regular visitor to my feeders, and a Wood Thrush, which is in the area (I hear them sing fairly often) and is a common bird in summer. But I have never seen a Wood Thrush at the feeders. Now, the tail at least looks short, which would rule against the Thrasher, as does the lack of regular lines of "spots." The legs appear light colored, which would be true of the Wood Thrush. Lastly, the feeder can serve as a yardstick: it's only 6 inches wide (and 8" from corner to opposite corner) and this bird is about as long. The Wood Thrush is typically 8" in length (the Thrasher, 11") so again we might favor the Thrush theory. However, there is one very critical field mark that clinches the deal. There are white wing bars visible, and the Thrush doesn't have them. Hence I must rule in favor of the Thrasher. Maybe the tail is foreshortened in the photo. And the Thrasher, using Occam's Razor, is the vastly more likely bird. Be this a lesson. Emotion begs for one ID, but the sober birder must be skeptical.