Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush adult

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Swainson's Thrush is distinguished from the other spotted thrushes by its obvious eyering and buffy face.

Description

• Medium-sized thrush.
• Back olive-brown.
• Dark spots on chest.
• Distinct buffy eyering and buffy face.

• Size: 16-19 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 29-31 cm (11-12 in)
• Weight: 23-45 g (0.81-1.59 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Song flute-like, spiraling upward. Call a sharp "whit;" also a hollow "peep." Nocturnal flight call a "peep" similar to a single note from a spring peeper frog.

Conservation Status

Not listed nationally; populations appear to be declining.

Other Names

Grive à dos olive (French)
Zorzal de Swainson (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The "russet-backed" Pacific population has more reddish plumage and a slightly different song than the "olive-backed" birds in the rest of the range. The russet-backed birds winter in Central America while the olive-backed ones winter in South America.

• The Swainson's Thrush is the only woodland thrush whose song goes up in pitch.

Sources used to construct this page:

Mack, D. E., and W. Yong. 2000. Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus). In The Birds of North America, No. 540 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.