Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus) B/M |
 |
RANGE: Breeds from western and central Alaska,
northern Saskatchewan, central Quebec, and Newfoundland south to
southern Alaska, southern and east-central California, central
Utah, north-central New Mexico, extreme northern Nebraska,
eastern Montana, southern Manitoba, northern Minnesota, southern
Ontario, northern Pennsylvania, and southern Maine. Also in
eastern West Virginia, western Virginia, and western Maryland.
Winters from Mexico south.
STATUS: Rare to locally common.
HABITAT: In summer, inhabits dense coniferous forests
(especially spruce) and dense tall shrubbery, or recent
clearcuts in low damp areas or near water. In parts of range,
prefers aspen-poplar forests and willow or alder thickets, and
occasionally breeds in coniferous-deciduous forests. In winter,
frequents deciduous forests.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Damp forests or adjacent water.
Strongest nesting habitat associations in (1) Sitka
spruce-westerrn hemlock maritime forest, (2) Wide range of
Douglas-fir forest types, (3) Red Alder, (4) Mixed conifer-mixed
deciduous, (5) South Coast mixed forest, (6) Coastal headland
grass and shrubland, (7) Edges of recently cutover or burned
forest, (8) Western riverine woodland, and (9) Streamside
wetland and shrubland.
NEST: Builds a bulky cup nest, usually near the trunk, on a
horizontal branch of a conifer 2 to 20 feet above the ground.
FOOD: Gleans food from the forest floor, foliage, and branch
surfaces. Also eats insects, spiders, millipedes, and small
fruits and berries.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Beal 1915b, DeGraff et al. 1980,
Forbush and May 1955, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004, Terres 1980,
Verner and Boss 1980. |
