The thrush is a small songbird found throughout North America. There are several species of thrush that can be found in the state of Tennessee, each with their own unique vocalizations.
Wood Thrush
One of the most common thrushes found in Tennessee is the wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). The wood thrush has a beautiful, flute-like song that has been described as one of the most beautiful sounds in nature.
The song of the male wood thrush consists of clear, bell-like phrases that have an almost mechanical precision to them. The song begins with a few short introductory notes before launching into a melodic series of rising and falling notes. Multiple phrases are strung together into a continuous song that can last up to several minutes.
Here is a description of what the wood thrush song sounds like in Tennessee:
- Flute-like phrases that sound metallic and bell-like
- Rising and falling notes delivered with precision
- Song begins with a short introduction before phrasing starts
- Multiple phrases strung together into long, continuous song
- Sings from treetops and undergrowth in forested areas
- Sings most actively at dawn and dusk
You can listen to an audio recording of the wood thrush song below to hear exactly what it sounds like in the forests of Tennessee:
[Insert audio clip of wood thrush song]
Hermit Thrush
Another thrush species that breeds in Tennessee is the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus). This shy forest bird has a hauntingly beautiful song.
The hermit thrush song is a series of clear, flute-like notes that have an ethereal quality. The song begins slowly with a few long introductory notes before accelerating into a melodic series of ascending and descending scales and arpeggios.
Here is a description of how the hermit thrush song sounds in Tennessee:
- Flute-like phrases with an ethereal quality
- Song begins slowly then accelerates into ascending/descending scales
- Haunting, melancholy tonal quality
- Sings from hidden perches in forest understory
- Sings most actively at dawn and dusk
- Stays deep in shaded forests
Listen to the audio clip below to hear the magical song of the hermit thrush in Tennessee:
[Insert audio clip of hermit thrush song]
Swainson’s Thrush
Swainson’s thrush (Catharus ustulatus) is a species that migrates through Tennessee in the spring and fall. While not as common as other thrush species, its song can sometimes be heard during migration.
The Swainson’s thrush has a distinct ascending song that starts with a single introductory note followed by a quickly ascending series of notes that ends on a high, clear tone. The song then repeats, sometimes with variations in pitch.
Here is how the Swainson’s thrush song sounds when heard in Tennessee during migration:
- Distinct ascending pattern
- Starts with single intro note
- Ascends quickly up the scale
- Ends on a high, clear note
- Song repeats multiple times
- Does not breed in Tennessee, only passes through in migration
Listen to the clip below to hear the unique ascending song of the Swainson’s thrush in Tennessee:
[Insert audio clip of Swainson’s thrush song]
Gray-cheeked Thrush
The gray-cheeked thrush (Catharus minimus) is another migrating thrush species that can be heard in Tennessee. However, it is much less common than the Swainson’s thrush.
The song of the gray-cheeked thrush consists of a short series of ascending musical phrases that end abruptly. The song repeats after a brief pause. It has been described as having a “disappointing” or “incomplete” ending to each phrase.
Here is how the gray-cheeked thrush song sounds when heard occasionally during migration in Tennessee:
- Series of short ascending musical phrases
- Each phrase ends abruptly on a higher note
- Brief pause before repeating the song
- Song seems to have an incomplete ending to it
- Rarely heard in Tennessee
Listen to the recording below to hear the unique truncated song of the gray-cheeked thrush:
[Insert audio clip of gray-cheeked thrush song]
Veery
The veery (Catharus fuscescens) is a larger thrush species that breeds in the eastern parts of Tennessee. Its rolling, ethereal song is a familiar summer sound in damp forests.
The song of the veery starts slowly with a few long, clear whistling notes. It then cascades downward through a series of bell-toned phrases before repeating. The descending phrases accelerate and run together more as the song progresses.
Here is how the veery’s mystical song sounds when heard in the humid forests of Tennessee:
- Song begins slowly with long clear whistling notes
- Descends through series of bell-toned, ethereal phrases
- Phrases accelerate and run together as song progresses
- Song has mystical, rolling quality
- Most often heard near running water in dense undergrowth
Listen to the recording below to hear the magical descending song of the veery in Tennessee:
[Insert audio clip of veery song]
Eastern Bluebird
The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a thrush relative common across Tennessee. The bright blue males sing a simple, melodious song that echoes through open woodlands and fields.
The song of the eastern bluebird is described as cherubic or angelic. It consists of a short, warbling sequence of ascending notes that ends on a higher, wavering tone. This sequence then repeats multiple times in a row.
Here is what the eastern bluebird’s pleasant song sounds like in Tennessee:
- Short sequence of ascending, warbling notes
- Ends on a higher, wavering tone
- Cherubic, angelic song quality
- Song sequence repeats multiple times in a row
- Often sings from fence posts and perches in open areas
Listen to the recording below to hear the cheerful, warbling song of the eastern bluebird in Tennessee:
[Insert audio clip of eastern bluebird song]
Thrush Song Identification
Identifying a thrush species by sound alone can sometimes be challenging because many have haunting, flute-like songs. However, there are distinct differences between thrush songs that can help identify the singer.
Here is a helpful table summarizing the unique traits of thrush songs heard in Tennessee:
Species | Song Description |
---|---|
Wood Thrush | Flute-like metallic phrases, very melodic and precise |
Hermit Thrush | Ethereal flute-like phrases, melancholy tone |
Swainson’s Thrush | Quickly ascending scale ending on high, clear note |
Gray-cheeked Thrush | Abruptly ending ascending phrases, incomplete sounding |
Veery | Mystical descending whistled phrases accelerating as song progresses |
Eastern Bluebird | Short, cherry, warbling phrases of ascending notes |
Tips for Identifying Thrush Songs
Here are some helpful tips for identifying thrushes by ear in Tennessee:
- Listen for differences in phrasing – is it ascending, descending, or melodic?
- Note the tone – is it flute-like, melancholy, mystical, or cheerful sounding?
- Pay attention to the ends of phrases – do they end abruptly or taper off?
- Listen for repetitions – are the phrases repeated consistently or variably?
- Note the habitat – is it being sung from treetops or undergrowth?
- Pay attention to the time of day – thrushes are most vocal at dawn and dusk.
With practice, anyone can learn to identify the beautiful thrush songs that echo through Tennessee’s forests during spring and summer. Taking some time to listen to recordings of each species’ song is extremely helpful for cementing the sounds in your mind and ear.
Conclusion
Thrushes produce some of the most beautiful and melodious songs in Tennessee’s forests and woodlands. From the haunting refrains of the wood thrush and hermit thrush, to the cheerful warbling of the eastern bluebird, thrush vocalizations are a quintessential soundscape of a Tennessee spring.
While many thrush songs have a similar musical flute-like quality, each species has a unique phrasing pattern and tonal quality. With some practice listening, anyone can learn to identify thrushes by sound. Understanding their songs provides a way to connect with these shy forest songsters as they fill Tennessee’s woodlands with their glorious music each spring.