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Friends of Woodland Park

P.O. Box 71
Houston, TX 77001
Phone Number

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Friends of Woodland Park

  • About
    • About
    • Firefly Field
  • Nature
    • Birds at the Park
    • Fish at the Park
    • Latest Bird Species Data
    • Mammals at the Park
    • Reptiles at the Park
    • Trees at the Park
    • Trail Map
  • Membership
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Contact
  • Friends
    • American Hiking Society
    • Bayou Preservation Association
    • Citizens' Environmental Coalition
    • Houston Audubon Society
    • Katy Prairie Conservancy
    • White Oak Bayou Association
David Mitchell.jpg

Swainson’s Thrush

Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus), also called olive-backed thrush, is a medium-sized thrush. It is a member of Catharus genus and is typical of it in terms of its subdued coloration and beautiful voice. Swainson's thrush was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist.

The breeding habitat of Swainson's thrush is coniferous woods with dense undergrowth across Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States; also, deciduous wooded areas on the Pacific coast of North America.

These birds migrate to southern Mexico and as far south as Argentina. The coastal subspecies migrate down the Pacific coast of North America and winter from Mexico to Costa Rica, whereas the continental birds migrate eastwards within North America (a substantial detour) and then travel southwards via Florida to winter from Panama to Bolivia. Swainson's thrush is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. It has also occurred as a vagrant in northeast Asia.

This species may be displaced by the hermit thrush where their ranges overlap. Possibly, the latter species adapts more readily to human encroachment upon its habitat. At least in the winter quarters, Swainson's thrush tends to keep away from areas of human construction and other activity.

Learn more at Wikipedia

Swainson’s Thrush

Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus), also called olive-backed thrush, is a medium-sized thrush. It is a member of Catharus genus and is typical of it in terms of its subdued coloration and beautiful voice. Swainson's thrush was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist.

The breeding habitat of Swainson's thrush is coniferous woods with dense undergrowth across Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States; also, deciduous wooded areas on the Pacific coast of North America.

These birds migrate to southern Mexico and as far south as Argentina. The coastal subspecies migrate down the Pacific coast of North America and winter from Mexico to Costa Rica, whereas the continental birds migrate eastwards within North America (a substantial detour) and then travel southwards via Florida to winter from Panama to Bolivia. Swainson's thrush is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. It has also occurred as a vagrant in northeast Asia.

This species may be displaced by the hermit thrush where their ranges overlap. Possibly, the latter species adapts more readily to human encroachment upon its habitat. At least in the winter quarters, Swainson's thrush tends to keep away from areas of human construction and other activity.

Learn more at Wikipedia

David Mitchell.jpg
   Photographer David Mitchell

Photographer David Mitchell

Woodland park is located at 212 parkview, houston, texas 77009

Friends of Woodland Park is a 501(c)(3) noNprofit organization.
p.O. Box 71 • Houston, Texas • 77001

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