Scientific Name: Catharus ustulatus

Uniform medium-brown above from head to tail. Distinctive pale, buffy eyering and face separates Swainson’s from other thrushes. Spots are concentrated and clearly defined on upper breast, becoming smudgier towards belly. Breeds in the boreal forest. Migrates to South America for winter; very rare in the U.S. after October, unlike Hermit Thrush. Its song is flute-like, ascending spiral like Veery in reverse.

A common but often unseen inhabitant of dense, humid woodlands, the Swainson’s Thrush is more often detected by its ethereal song than by sight. It forages primarily on insects and berries, gleaning them from foliage or snatching them mid-air. Though generally solitary, during migration, these thrushes can form loose flocks, especially when preparing for their long journey south. Their preference for thick undergrowth makes them a challenge for birdwatchers, but their distinctive vocalizations, particularly the upward-spiraling song, are a telltale sign of their presence.