Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 6.25 inches

• Eastern United States have olive-brown upperparts-browner in western      birds

• Buffy spectacles

• Dark spots on breast

• Underparts white with brownish flanks

• Pink legs

• Thin bill with pale base to lower mandible

• Sexes similar

• Often forages on forest floor

• Distinctive song

Similar species:

The Bicknell's thrush resides in forests where it is more often heard than
seen. It most similar to other thrushes. Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's
thrushes lack buffy spectacles and have gray cheeks. In the East, veeries
have rustier upperparts, less spotting on the breast and lack spectacles.
In the West, veeries and Swainson's thrushes are quite similar and can
be separated by flank color, gray in veeries and brown in Swainson's.
Wood and hermit thrushes have rusty areas on their upperparts.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-4
Length of Incubation: 12-14 days
Days to Fledge: 10-13
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Mostly insects; lesser quantities of fruit and worms

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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