Swainson's Thrush (Olive-backed)

Swainson's Thrush

(Entry #3) Catharus ustulatus, commonly known as the Swainson's thrush; in particular in this post the olive-backed Swainson's thrush. These are, of course, thrushes, in the family Turididae. ​

The olive-backed Swainson's thrush is a brown like color, with the sameish colored spots on its chest. They also seem to stick their wings out a little bit. And very good for identification, they have a white ring around their eye. They only very rarely come out of the woods, or not at all. They are not sexually dimorphic. Same deal with the russet-backed, just the russet-backed is more of a red color.

They are pretty common, although not so commonly seen, due to being brown and therefore not so easily identified, and also not quite as interesting, so that people do not always think that they are worth identifying; they are very wood-oriented, as well, so that they do not commonly come outside of the woods. They make what I would describe as a fluid sound.

An enchanting fluid sound. Interesting how such a small uninteresting bird could make such an enchanting sound; ah, sirens of the wood! 

There are three northeastern Oklahoma thrushes (Well, maybe five or six). Excuse me, that was interrupting me, myself. Now, if you'll not interrupt me again, I meant that there are three northeastern Oklahoma thrushes that look similar. (Oh, okay, nevermind!) These are wood thrushes, gray-cheeked thrushes, and, of course, the thrush we are speaking about now.

Now, I have never observed any of the other two myself, but this blog started five days ago, and that shall change. So this is all from various sources, especially Merlin. 

Gray-cheeked thrushes are more gray than a Swainson's thrush. They are also less common. A wood thrush is more red than a olive-backed Swainson's thrush, although they are harder to tell from a russet-backed Swainson's thrush. The sounds I can't even begin to tell you. 

Swainson's Thrush

Very long sharp beaks actually suggest they eat insects, but it would make sense that they also eat berries and other foods. Maybe even frogs. We do have a lot of frogs. Don't trust my diets on these birds, they aren't particularly informative. I'll tell you when I have observed an actual bird eat an actual food. Until then I can tell you which birds eat nectar, which birds eat other birds and larger prey items, and which birds eat something else. Oh, and if it's a woodpecker. If it's a woodpecker it stabs trees and eats the bugs out of them.

Have no idea when they appear or disappear, for I have fallen prey to that afore-mentioned uninterestingness. So if I have seen them, I have had no reason to bother about recording that. 

My lemons have attracted no orioles, only our chickens. Anyway, until next time! Perhaps my next post shall be about the very nice blue indigo bunting, and a certain phenomenon that I have noticed with them 

Note: My first sighting was in early May (Swainson's thrush, indigo bunting (actually April), scarlet tanager (that was sound), and house finch. House finches are cute.