Help me identify this bird

While I was unlocking my bike this morning, I heard a bang on the window of the apartment above me, then an object fell into the bush beside me. I thought someone had thrown something, but it turned out to be a little bird. I picked it up to see if it was ok, but it had broken its neck and died instantly.

I can’t remember seeing this bird around here (Waterloo, Ontario) before. We have a plethora of house sparrows, black-capped chickadees, American robins, blue jays, grackles, mourning doves, cardinals, finches and the occasional oriole, but this bird’s markings are unfamiliar to me. I tried doing a search on the common birds of the region, but no luck.
I took some photos of it:

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

On one photo, its beak appears red but that’s actually blood. The beak itself is a dark brown. It’s not visible from the photos, but the tail feathers are kind of a burnt sienna shade. Also, there are three fine black whiskers on each side of the beak, at the corners of the mouth. I think the bird may be some kind of flycatcher but I could be wrong.

Anybody know what it is?

Oh, I should mention the size. It’s approximately the same size as am American robin.

Any chance of a size reference? CAn you measure it, or photo it next to a ruler? Looks like one of the Thrushes, but I’d like to be sure of the size, first.

Hermit Thrush.

Checked against some online photos. That’s the one. Pretty little bird. Thanks.

My pleasure!

Perhaps a hooded merganser?

Opps. Wrong thread.
:smiley: