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. 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…