Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | Photos, Calls and ID

NENot EvaluatedInvertebrates

ForestCup nestSmall · 30 g

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), photo 1 — Photo: Carlos Domínguez-Rodríguez · CC BY 4.0

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), photo 2 — Photo: Carlos Domínguez-Rodríguez · CC BY 4.0

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), photo 3 — Photo: Anna Hess · CC BY 4.0

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), photo 4 — Photo: Anthony Batista · CC BY 4.0

What the Swainson's Thrush sounds like

Sonogram of the Swainson's Thrush: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.

Recorded by Rudyard W · Alarm call, rattle · San Francisco Peninsula (near San Francisco), San Francisco County, California, United States · CC0 · via xeno-canto

Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call · Napo: Napo Galeras, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Recorded by Doug Hynes · Song · Little Mecatina River, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

This species is 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in) in length. The wingspan averages at 30 cm (12 in) and the wing chord is 8.7–10.5 cm (3.4–4.1 in). The bill measures 1.5–1.9 cm (0.59–0.75 in) in length and the tarsus is 2.5 to 3.1 cm (0.98 to 1.22 in) long. This species' body mass can range from 23 to 45 g (0.81 to 1.59 oz). This thrush has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. Adults are brown on the upperparts. The underparts are white with brown on the flanks; the breast is lighter brown with darker spots. They have pink legs and a light brown eye ring.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Swainson's Thrush

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 6 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Swainson's Thrush

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 30 countries with regular records, and 10 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, Norway, Spain, France, Brazil, Ireland, Chile, Uruguay, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands.

About the Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's thrush, also called olive-backed thrush, russet-backed thrush, and salmonberry bird is a medium-sized thrush. It is a member of genus Catharus and is typical of it in terms of its subdued coloration and beautiful, ascending flute-like voice. Swainson's thrush was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusThis species measures 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) in length, spans 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) across the wings and weighs 18 to 37 g (0.63 to 1.31 oz).

VeeryCatharus fuscescensThis species measures 16–19.5 cm (6.3–7.7 in) in length.

Grey-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusThe gray-cheeked thrush is slightly larger than other Catharus thrushes, about 16 to 17 cm (6.7 in) in height and weighing between 26 and 30g.

Side by side: Hermit Thrush vs Swainson's Thrush · Swainson's Thrush vs Wood Thrush · Swainson's Thrush vs Veery · Grey-cheeked Thrush vs Swainson's Thrush

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