Singing thrushes are all aflutter in Charlotte
Every spring migration stands out for one reason or another. For me, this spring was memorable for the show the spotted thrushes put on at Latta Park. While the warblers were somewhat lackluster (some area birders may disagree) the thrushes showed up not only in numbers but in fine voice as well.
When I say “spotted thrushes” I am referring to the species that sport varying numbers and intensity of spots on the breast. In our area those are the hermit, wood, gray-cheeked and Swainson’s thrushes, and the veery. All are renowned for their singing abilities. All those species’ songs have been described as flute-like with some exhibiting a downward spiraling ethereal quality. The wood thrush is at the top of my favorite list as the best singer.
At Latta Park, the numerous mulberry trees and their ripening fruits attract all species of thrushes every spring. Most can be seen in dependable but small numbers each year, but this year the trees, creekside brush and lawn were filled with them, especially the last couple of weeks. Normally there would be a few whispered songs that often would be drowned out by other species’ notes, but for several visits this year the thrush songs were loud and ringing, coming from all areas of the park.
Hermit thrushes are the only species that stays with us through the winter, and the wood thrush is the only one that nests in our area. The others are spring and fall migrants that nest in the Canadian Life Zone.
The wood thrush is the most russet on top and the most boldly spotted of the group. The veery, on the other hand, has very faint spots, sometimes appearing to lack spots at all. The others, in descending order of spot intensity, are the hermit, gray-cheeked and Swainson’s.
As I said before, thrushes are among the finest of avian singers. Next to the wood thrush, I rate the veery as the most accomplished songster, followed closely by the hermit and Swainson’s. The gray-cheeked song is thin and wiry, obviously coming from a thrush but not on a par with the others, in my opinion.
For photos of these species, check out my blog at piedmontbirding.blogspot.com.
Taylor Piephoff is a naturalist with an interest in the birds and wildlife of the southern Piedmont: PiephoffT@aol.com.
This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Singing thrushes are all aflutter in Charlotte."