• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Local Navigation
  • Skip to Search
  • Skip to Sitemap
  • Skip to Footer

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: TURDIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Swainson

© Bill Dyer/CLO

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

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Thrushes
Thrushes
Typical Voice

Adult Description

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

Immature Description

Like adult.

Range Map Help

Swainson
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Similar Species

  • Hermit Thrush has eyering, but it is white, not buffy, lacks the buffy face, and has a rufous tail contrasting with the browner back.
  • Western form of Veery similar to western Swainson's, but has less buffy on face, more reddish in wings, and gray, not olive or rufous flanks.