Swainson's Thrush Photo Gallery
Adult (Olive-backed)
Medium-sized thrush with a round head and a short, straight bill. Olive-brown above with a distinct buffy eyering. White underparts with brownish spotting on the throat and breast.
© terence zahner / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 27, 2016Adult (Russet-backed)
Individuals breeding in the Pacific states (often called the “Russet-backed” Thrush) are rustier above, with thinner, paler eyerings and medium-brown chest spotting.
© Adam Jackson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 13, 2018Adult (Olive-backed)
Note strong buffy eyering and lores, creating "spectacled" look, as well as buffy wash on breast.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew York, October 11, 2011Not all videos have soundAdult (Olive-backed)
Individuals breeding in the eastern and northern parts of North America (often called “Olive-backed Thrush”) are more olive-brown above with darker spotting on the breast.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryWyoming, May 14, 2016Adult (Russet-backed)
Medium-sized thrush with a round head. Olive-brown above with a distinct buffy eyering and brownish spotting on the throat and breast.
© Adam Dudley / Macaulay LibraryNevada, June 01, 2017Adult (Russet-backed)
Song is a distinctive, fluting, upward-spiraling melody.
© Melani King / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 09, 2022Not all videos have soundHabitat
Breeds primarily in evergreen forests except in California where it also uses deciduous forests near streams.
© Kendall Van Zanten / Macaulay LibraryWashington, June 19, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Thrushes and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae)
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