British Columbia is home to several species of thrush birds. Thrush birds belong to the genus Turdus and are known for their melodious songs. Some of the thrush species found in BC include:
Swainson’s Thrush
The Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) is a medium-sized thrush with olive-brown upperparts and a white underside with brown speckles. They have a light eye ring. These birds breed in coniferous forests across much of BC before migrating to Central and South America for the winter.
Hermit Thrush
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a small thrush with a reddish-brown back, white underparts, and dark spots on the breast. They have a white eye ring. Hermit Thrushes breed throughout the forests of BC before migrating south to the southern US for winter. Their song is an ethereal, flute-like melody.
American Robin
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a very familiar and widespread thrush species found across North America. They have gray upperparts, reddish underparts, and a yellow bill. American Robins breed abundantly across BC in parks, yards, and open woodlands. Some migrate south for winter while others tough out the colder months in BC.
Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) is a uniquely patterned thrush found along the Pacific Coast. The males have black upperparts with orange stripes on the wings and breast. Females are grayer with duller orange stripes. Varied Thrushes breed in coniferous forests in coastal BC before migrating to California and the Pacific Northwest for winter.
Townsend’s Solitaire
Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) is a slender, long-tailed thrush found in western North America. They have gray-brown upperparts, white eye rings, and bold white outer tail feathers. Solitaires breed in mountain forests and shrublands in BC before migrating south to the western US for winter. They are adept at catching insects in flight.
Key Identification Features
Here are some key features to help identify thrush species in BC:
Species | Size | Field Marks | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|
Swainson’s Thrush | Medium | Brown back, speckled white breast, light eye ring | Coniferous forests |
Hermit Thrush | Small | Reddish-brown back, spotted breast, white eye ring | Forests |
American Robin | Large | Gray back, reddish breast, yellow bill | Open woodlands, parks, yards |
Varied Thrush | Medium | Black back with orange stripes, orange breast band | Coniferous forests |
Townsend’s Solitaire | Slim, long tail | Gray-brown back, white eye ring, bold white outer tail feathers | Mountain forests and shrublands |
Migration Patterns
Most thrush species that breed in British Columbia migrate south for the winter:
- Swainson’s Thrushes migrate all the way to Central and South America.
- Hermit Thrushes migrate to the southern US and Mexico.
- Many American Robins migrate south, while some overwinter in BC.
- Varied Thrushes migrate down the Pacific Coast to California.
- Townsend’s Solitaires migrate to the western US.
Their long migrations are driven by the search for abundant food and favorable weather conditions in winter. Some thrush species make round-trip migrations of several thousand miles each year!
Breeding Behavior
Thrushes build open cup nests out of grass, twigs, mud, and moss. The nests are usually placed in the branches of trees or shrubs. Thrush clutch sizes range from 3-5 eggs. The eggs are pale blue and speckled. Parents share incubation duties, keeping the eggs warm for 10-16 days before they hatch.
Both parents help feed the nestlings regurgitated insects and fruit. The young leaves the nest 10-16 days after hatching. Some species, like American Robins, commonly raise 2-3 broods per breeding season.
Diet and Feeding
Thrushes have diverse diets that change with the seasons. Insects and spiders make up a large portion of their diet in spring and summer during breeding. They capture insects on the ground or pluck them from leaves and branches while hopping through vegetation. Berries and fruits become especially important in fall and winter.
Species like Swainson’s Thrush and Varied Thrush migrate long distances to take advantage of seasonally abundant fruit crops. American Robins rely more on small invertebrates year-round but also eat berries. Thrushes forage by sight on the ground and in trees and shrubs.
Vocalizations
Thrushes are renowned for their beautiful, flute-like songs. Each species has distinctive vocalizations used to attract mates and defend territories. Hermit Thrushes sing an ethereal, spiraling melody. The song of the Wood Thrush has been described as “a sound of sheer liquid euphony”. Swainson’s Thrush sings a spiraling series of musical phrases.
Thrushes also use sharp alarm calls to signal danger and stay in contact with their mate and offspring. Their wide repertoire of songs and calls are one of the joys of the spring forest soundscape in BC.
Conservation Status
Most thrush species in BC are doing well with stable or increasing populations. However, populations of the Varied Thrush have declined significantly in recent decades due to loss of coastal old growth forests. Conserving large stands of mature forest will be important for the continued success of this uniquely west coast species.
Conclusion
British Columbia provides essential breeding habitat for a diversity of migratory thrush species. From the melodious Swainson’s Thrush of northern forests to the robin familiar across backyards, thrushes are an integral part of BC’s avifauna. Protecting natural areas will ensure thrushes continue gracing our woods with their songs for generations to come.