Veery

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

The veery is a small North American thrush species, a member of a group of closely related and similar species in the genus Catharus, also including the gray-cheeked thrush, Bicknell's thrush, Swainson's thrush, and hermit thrush. Alternate names for this species include Wilson's thrush and tawny thrush. Up to six subspecies exist, which are grouped into the eastern veery, the western veery or willow thrush, and the Newfoundland veery.

Source: Wikipedia — Veery · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Warm, uniform reddish-cinnamon above with only faint, diffuse spotting on a washed grayish breast and the palest face of the brown thrushes (weak eye ring).

Similar species. Other brown thrushes show bolder breast spotting and stronger eye rings; the Veery's plain cinnamon tone and faint spots are key.

Voice. A breezy, downward-spiraling series of reedy, flute-like notes: 'veer-veer-veer-veer'; call a low 'veer'.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, worms, fruits.

Behavior. A cinnamon-toned thrush of moist deciduous and riparian woods; a long-distance migrant to South America, often heard at dusk giving its downward-spiraling, ethereal song.

§ Range

Eastern North America in summer; winters in South America

§ Habitat

Moist deciduous forests with dense understory

§ Threats

Forest fragmentation, tropical wintering forest loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the veery is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support mature forest conservation. Donate to tropical reforestation.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Veery
• www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Catharus fuscescens
• IUCN Red List — search for Catharus fuscescens
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Catharus fuscescens

§ Sources cited

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
• National Audubon Society
• iNaturalist
• IUCN Red List