Catharus fuscescens
Veery
The Veery is a medium-sized thrush with a distinctive warm, reddish-brown upper body and pale underparts. Its breast is lightly spotted with brown, fading to white on the belly. The bird has a relatively short tail, large eyes, and a subtle pale eye-ring, giving it an alert appearance.
Males and females appear identical to casual observation, though they can be distinguished by careful measurement. Juveniles show a slightly more spotted pattern on their upperparts. The Veery maintains its plumage year-round, with no significant seasonal changes.
Length
16cm to 19cm
Wingspan
28cm to 33cm
Weight
28g to 32g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Rufous
Secondary Colour
White Buff
Beak Colour
Brown Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Veeries inhabit moist, deciduous and mixed forests with dense understory across eastern North America. They prefer areas near streams or wetlands, often in young or disturbed forest sections.
During the breeding season, they are found from southern Canada to the northern United States. Veeries winter in South America, primarily in the Amazon basin, making them true long-distance migrants.
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
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Veeries primarily feed on insects and other invertebrates, including beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders. They also consume small fruits and berries, especially during late summer and fall, as they prepare for migration.
Their ground-foraging behavior is characterized by quick, short hops and sudden pauses to listen for prey.
Veeries are known for their secretive nature, often staying close to the ground in dense undergrowth. They forage by hopping along the forest floor, flipping leaves to uncover insects.
During the breeding season, males become more visible as they perch on low branches to sing their distinctive song.
The Veery's song is a haunting, downward-spiraling series of flute-like notes, often described as "veer-veer-veer-veer." This ethereal song is most frequently heard at dawn and dusk.
Their call is a sharp, descending "veer" or a soft "pew" when alarmed.
Veeries breed from May to July, with males establishing territories through song. Females build cup-shaped nests low to the ground, often in shrubs or on fallen logs.
The nest is constructed of leaves, grass, and twigs, lined with fine plant fibers. Females typically lay 3-5 pale blue eggs, sometimes with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 12 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 10-12 days. Veeries usually raise one brood per season.
The Veery typically lives for 8 to 10 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 10.1 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
While currently listed as Least Concern, Veery populations are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Climate change may also affect their breeding and wintering grounds.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting large tracts of mature forests and managing understory vegetation.
Wilson's Thrush, Tawny Thrush
Main predators include hawks, owls, squirrels, and domestic cats. Snakes and chipmunks often prey on eggs and nestlings.
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website: BirdLife International. 2018. Catharus fuscescens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22708655A131949838.
View sourcereport, 2005: del Hoyo et al.
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View sourcewebsite, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source