Veery

The Veery, scientifically known as Catharus fuscescens, is a modestly sized thrush native to North America. This bird is part of the genus Catharus, which includes other closely related species such as the gray-cheeked thrush, Bicknell's thrush, Swainson's thrush, and hermit thrush. The Veery is characterized by its light brown upperparts and white underparts, with a light tawny breast adorned with faint brownish spots. Its wingspan averages 28.5 cm, and it possesses the distinctive under-wing stripe of its genus. The legs are a delicate pink, and the eye ring is indistinct. The species exhibits some regional color variation, with eastern birds tending towards a more cinnamon hue and western birds displaying a more olive-brown cast.

Identification Tips

To identify the Veery, look for its light brown upperparts and white underparts with a tawny breast. The faint brownish spots on the breast and the pink legs can also help distinguish it. The under-wing stripe is a key feature, and while eastern Veeries are more cinnamon in color, western ones are olive-brown, which can make differentiation from other Catharus thrushes more challenging.

Habitat

The Veery favors humid deciduous forests for its breeding grounds, particularly those with dense growth and understory near water sources like streams.

Distribution

During the breeding season, the Veery can be found across southern Canada and the northern United States. Come winter, it migrates to eastern South America, with a range that may encompass the entire Amazon basin, parts of Venezuela, the headwaters of the Orinoco River, and São Paulo state in Brazil.

Behaviour

The Veery is known for its foraging behavior on the forest floor, where it flips leaves in search of insects. It may also take to the air to catch flying insects. During migration, it utilizes various stopover regions, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts, as well as parts of Colombia and Venezuela.

Song & calls

The Veery's song is a breezy, downward-spiraling flute-like melody, often delivered from a low, concealed perch. Its calls include a harsh, descending "vee-er," a chuckle, a sharp and low "wuck," and a slow "wee-u." Interestingly, Veeries have been observed to alter their singing behavior in the presence of potential predators like barred owls.

Breeding

Veeries construct a cup nest on the ground or near the base of a shrub, comprising three layers: an outer layer of leaves and branches, an inner woven layer, and a lining of flexible materials like bark, roots, and seeds. The nest may incorporate parts from up to 27 plant species, including invasive ones. Clutches typically contain three to five greenish-blue eggs, which the female incubates for 10 to 14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, and the young are ready to leave the nest between 10 and 12 days after hatching.

Similar Species

The Veery can be confused with other Catharus thrushes, especially in the western part of its range. However, its coloration and the under-wing stripe are helpful distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

Insects are the primary food source for the Veery during the breeding season, while fruit and berries become more important in the late summer and fall.

Conservation status

The Veery is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it faces threats such as climate change, habitat alteration in the Amazon, and nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. Population trends suggest a decline across much of its range, and there are concerns about the potential impacts of using invasive plant materials in nest construction, although negative effects have not been documented. Loss of woodland habitat and predation by squirrels, chipmunks, and raptors also pose risks to the species.