VEERY
VEERY – (Catharus fuscescens)
DESCRIPTION: The Veery is a thrush that is brown on its upper parts and has white under parts. The breast is beige with light brown spots. The bill is grey on top and pinkish under, and the legs are also pinkish. Sexes are similar. The bird measures around 18 cm (7 in.) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Catharus-fuscescens
NAME: The English name of this thrush is an onomatopoeia on one of its calls. The Latin genus name ‘Catharus’ means ‘pure’ and possibly refers to the crystalline song of some of the Old World thrushes, although the Veery also has a flute-like song. The Latin species name ‘fuscescens’ means ‘slightly dark’, in reference to the plumage color of this thrush.
HABITAT: Under story of humid deciduous forests.
DIET: Forages on the ground for insects by flipping or trashing dead vegetation, and will occasionally catch insects on the fly. Also feeds on berries.
NESTING: The nest is located on or near the ground, in a well-sheltered area such as under a thorny shrub. Around four light blue-green eggs are laid, incubated by female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeding range encompasses the south of Canada and the north of the USA. The Veery migrates to eastern South America for the winter, especially Brazil.
Distribution Map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veery#/media/File:Catharus_fuscescens_map.svg
ON PEI: Breeds on Prince Edward Island, but observations are ‘uncommon’ or ‘rare’.
CONSERVATION: Although not listed on any special concern list yet, the Veery is experiencing a decline in its population since the last few decades. It is impacted in its wintering grounds by deforestation for agriculture. Habitat fragmentation in its breeding range makes it more vulnerable to predators and parasites such as the Brown-headed cowbird. Destruction of the under story, either by clearing or by deer browsing, is also detrimental to the Veery.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Hermit thrush, Wood thrush, Swainson's thrush, Bicknell's thrush
REFERENCES: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/veery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veery
https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/veery
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/birds/veery
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/684/_/veery.aspx
Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBJ18080
http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Catharus%20fuscescens/
DESCRIPTION: The Veery is a thrush that is brown on its upper parts and has white under parts. The breast is beige with light brown spots. The bill is grey on top and pinkish under, and the legs are also pinkish. Sexes are similar. The bird measures around 18 cm (7 in.) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Catharus-fuscescens
NAME: The English name of this thrush is an onomatopoeia on one of its calls. The Latin genus name ‘Catharus’ means ‘pure’ and possibly refers to the crystalline song of some of the Old World thrushes, although the Veery also has a flute-like song. The Latin species name ‘fuscescens’ means ‘slightly dark’, in reference to the plumage color of this thrush.
HABITAT: Under story of humid deciduous forests.
DIET: Forages on the ground for insects by flipping or trashing dead vegetation, and will occasionally catch insects on the fly. Also feeds on berries.
NESTING: The nest is located on or near the ground, in a well-sheltered area such as under a thorny shrub. Around four light blue-green eggs are laid, incubated by female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeding range encompasses the south of Canada and the north of the USA. The Veery migrates to eastern South America for the winter, especially Brazil.
Distribution Map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veery#/media/File:Catharus_fuscescens_map.svg
ON PEI: Breeds on Prince Edward Island, but observations are ‘uncommon’ or ‘rare’.
CONSERVATION: Although not listed on any special concern list yet, the Veery is experiencing a decline in its population since the last few decades. It is impacted in its wintering grounds by deforestation for agriculture. Habitat fragmentation in its breeding range makes it more vulnerable to predators and parasites such as the Brown-headed cowbird. Destruction of the under story, either by clearing or by deer browsing, is also detrimental to the Veery.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Hermit thrush, Wood thrush, Swainson's thrush, Bicknell's thrush
REFERENCES: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/veery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veery
https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/veery
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/birds/veery
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/684/_/veery.aspx
Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBJ18080
http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Catharus%20fuscescens/
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| Veery, PEI, by Roberta Palmer |
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| Veery, Cap Tourmente, QC, by Cephas |