ANIMAL: Veery Catharus fuscescens Type of Animal: Songbird Habitat: Damp/humid deciduous woodland/forest, mixed woodland, mixed forest w/ dense leafy understory near water, coniferous woodland, mature forest along streams, lowland tropical forest, damp areas near beaver wetlands, oak/maple/cherry/aspen/birch/alder/spruce/fir forest, disturbed forest w/ dense understory, forest edge, second-growth woodland, hardwood forests w/ dense leafy understory near creek bottoms, willow/alder/cottonwood stands bordering streams/beaver ponds, thick broadleaf forest/woodland, dense scrub, open plains Location(s): Ranges from S Canada, & N, C, & E US through E Mexico/E Central America & Caribbean through N & C South America Appearance: Rather small light brown bird w/ white belly & light tawny breast w/ faint brownish spots, straight narrow bill Food/Diet: Insects, spiders, centipedes, snails, berries, fruit, small frogs, salamanders Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Habitat/population monitoring Lifestyle: Female-male pairs or family groups comprising 1-4 females & 1-8 males plus 1-6 sets of offspring, ranging from 1-30 birds. Related birds often nest in close proximity. Loose colonies can number up to 40 birds. Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Party/Flock/Colony Weight: 1-1.9 oz Gestation: 2 weeks Life Span: 10 years Height: 6.7-7.1 in Body Length: 6.7-7.1 in Tail Length: 1 in Main predators are predatory birds, carnivorous/omnivorous mammals, & predatory reptiles. Western subspecies also known as Willow Thrush. Also called Wilson’s Thrush & Tawny Thrush. Nests often parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds, which lay eggs in veery nests. Chicks leave nest at 10-22 days after hatching, staying in the vicinity. Cup nests made on ground or near shrub base. Nest contains outer layer w/ leaves & supporting branches, inner layer w/ woven material, & lining of bark/roots/seeds. These birds are quite shy. Vagrants of this species have been seen in W Europe. Breed in the summer. Mostly forages on the ground, though will fly upwards to catch insects. These birds heard more often than seen. Tend to continuously flap wings during flight. Fun Fact(s): Vagrants of this species have been seen in W Europe. These birds can fly up to 160 mi in a single night. Scientific name means “pure dusky blackish dark.” Gets name from its call. Has been known to compete & hybridize w/ wood thrush.
