Bird of the Week – Swainson’s Thrush
A cousin to the Grey-cheeked Thrush, the Swainson’s Thrush is a bird of the boreal forest. If you hear a upward spiraling, flute-like call in the early morning or evening – or sometimes all night – it’s this species.
Sawinson’s Thrush, Borgesson Botanical Garden, Fairbanks
This species forages higher off the ground than its cousins and uses more aerial, fly-catching techniques to obtain insect prey, a characteristic that earned it the name “mosquito thrush” in Maine.
It’s a photographer’s delight; only the American Robin is more approachable. It’s also a species of concern. Populations are declining throughout its range, including Alaska.
Camera geek stuff: f6.3, 1/80, ISO1600.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
Doesn’t Swainson also have a hawk or something named after him.her?
Sad to say..I found one, dead..2 weeks ago..outside my upper apt. window..here at the farm. It was so..undamaged..visually..that I bagged it..and took over to our local ..Birder..for information. She suggested that I buy the ..2-way..decals..for my windows..and apply them..to save such sad incidents. There are more around here, which IS..unusual..and the ‘call’..is very lovely. Decals going up this weekend..and now I know..yet another song/bird design.
What a great photo! Don’t know this particular thrush.