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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLXX
Field-journal plate: Swainson’s Thrush
The Swainson’s Thrush plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLXX

Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Turdidae · Taxon 12878

LengthBoth sexes: 16–19 cm (6.3–7.5 in)
WingspanBoth sexes: 29–31 cm (11.4–12.2 in)
WeightBoth sexes: 23–45 g (0.8–1.6 oz)

Field marks

  1. Prominent buff eye-ring extending toward the bill to form a spectacled face pattern
  2. Olive-brown to warm russet-brown upperparts
  3. Whitish underparts with brown spotting concentrated on the throat and breast
  4. Round head with a short, straight, dark bill
  5. Fairly long, pointed wings and a medium-length tail
  6. Pinkish legs

HabitatPrimarily closed-canopy coniferous, mixed, or deciduous forest with a shaded, dense understory; also uses streamside thickets and young woodland. During migration it occupies varied wooded habitats with dense cover, while nonbreeding habitat includes tropical forest and forest edges.

BehaviorShy but vocal; forages in foliage and on the forest floor with short or springy hops, gleaning arthropods and sometimes lunging, hovering, or flycatching. Also eats fruit, especially during migration and the nonbreeding season, and migrates mainly at night.

Palette

olive brownrusset brownwarm buffcreamy whitedusky brown