Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's Thrushes are Common from May-Late August.

Habitat

The Swainson's Thrush occupies forested habitat at low to mid-elevations,  Although it is found mostly in dense hardwood and mixed forests, young conifer forests, and forest openings, They are attracted to salmonberry stands as nesting sites.

Behavior

Although the Swainson's Thrush does much of its feeding on the ground, it spends more time foraging in trees than do the other spot-breasted thrushes in Washington. They hover while gleaning insects from foliage, and also catch flying insects. In spring and summer, when they feed predominantly on insects and other invertebrates, they forage mostly on the ground. As the season progresses and they eat more berries, they forage farther off the ground. The song and call of the Swainson's Thrush are quite distinctive, and may help a birder to locate this thrush that usually stays under cover.