Catharus fuscescens

(Stephens, 1817)

Veery

G5Secure Found in 110 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
HighThreat Impact
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Alix d'Entremont; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Alix d'Entremont; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Alva  Steury; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Alva Steury; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Steve Wickliffe; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Steve Wickliffe; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Evan Lipton; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Evan Lipton; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). © Matt Zuro; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Matt Zuro; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103031
Element CodeABPBJ18080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyTurdidae
GenusCatharus
Synonyms
Hylocichla fuscescens
Other Common Names
Grive fauve (FR) Sabiá-Ferrugem (PT) veery (EN) Zorzal Rojizo, Parulata Cachetona (ES)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly placed in genus hylocichla (AOU 1983).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-07
Change Date1996-12-03
Edition Date2009-03-16
Edition AuthorsCannings, S. G., and G. Hammerson
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Large nesting range in North America; small winter range in Brazil; overall, population evidently is large but undergoing a steady decline, possibly due to habitat loss in wintering and breeding areas. Ranks needs further review; NatureServe rank calculator version 6.2 yielded a rank of G4.
Range Extent Comments
Nesting range extends from southern British Columbia across southern Canada to Nova Scotia and southwestern Newfoundland, south to central Oregon, Colorado, South Dakota, southern Great Lakes region, and New Jersey, and in the Appalachians to northern Georgia; also east-central Arizona and probably northern New Mexico (Moskoff 1995, AOU 1998).

Winter range may be restricted to three small areas in south-central and southeastern Brazil, at the periphery of or south of the Amazon basin (Remsen 2001). Formerly the species was thought to winter in South America from Guyana, northern Venezuela, and eastern Colombia to Amazonian Brazil and northern Bolivia (Cochabamba and Santa Cruz) (a few records from Peru and Chile) (Hilty and Brown 1986, Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Moskoff 1995).

Range extent score reflects nonbreeding range.
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a very large number of occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact Comments
Declines presumably are due to loss of habitat, both on the breeding and wintering ranges. The fact that the winter range is likely restricted to three small areas in Brazil where habitat loss is occurring is of great concern (Remsen 2001). In the nesting range, forest fragmentation may lead to increased parasitism by brown-headed cowbird (Bevier et al. 2005), but the population impact of this needs further study. Increased browsing of forest understory vegetation by growing populations of white-tailed deer may be a threat to nesting habitat, but this needs confirmation (Bevier et al. 2005).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

An 18-cm-long bird with a reddish brown dorsum, white belly, gray flanks, grayish face, small spots (often indistinct) on the breast, indistinct grayish eyering, and straight slim bill. Western populations have a darker dorsum and more breast spotting than do eastern populations.

Diagnostic Characteristics

Differs from other thrushes in having less breast spotting (less distinct and more restricted). Differs from Pacific coast populations of Swainson's thrush (CATHARUS USTULATUS) in having gray (vs. buffy brown) flanks.

Habitat

Nesting habitat includes swampy forest, especially in more open areas with shrubby understory, as well as second growth, willow or alder shrubbery near water; large tracts of forest are most suitable. Nests usually are on or near the ground, at the base of a shrub, in a clump of herbaceous vegetation, or in a shrub or low tree (Terres 1980). In migration and winter this species occurs also in lowland forest, woodland, and scrub.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid in May-June. Clutch size is three to five (usually four). Incubation lasts 11-12 days, by female. Young are tended by both parents, leave nest at 10-12 days.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparral
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5B
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS3BYes
NebraskaSNRNYes
KansasSNAYes
TennesseeS4BYes
North CarolinaS4BYes
MontanaS3BYes
Navajo NationSNRYes
VirginiaS4Yes
Rhode IslandS5BYes
South CarolinaS4Yes
IowaS3NYes
WyomingS5BYes
MassachusettsS5BYes
ArkansasS2NYes
North DakotaSNRBYes
VermontS5BYes
FloridaSNAYes
ColoradoS3BYes
MarylandS4BYes
OregonS4BYes
MaineS5BYes
MissouriSNAYes
UtahSHBYes
GeorgiaS4Yes
New MexicoS1B,S4NYes
New YorkS5BYes
ArizonaS1Yes
MichiganS5Yes
KentuckyS3BYes
District of ColumbiaS2B,S3NYes
MinnesotaSNRBYes
WisconsinS4BYes
MississippiSNAYes
South DakotaS1BYes
New HampshireS5BYes
IllinoisS3Yes
AlabamaSNRMYes
IndianaS3BYes
ConnecticutS5BYes
TexasS4NYes
West VirginiaS3BYes
DelawareS2BYes
OhioS4Yes
New JerseyS3B,S4NYes
IdahoS3BYes
PennsylvaniaS4B,S4MYes
LouisianaSNAYes
CanadaN5B
ProvinceRankNative
Nova ScotiaS4BYes
SaskatchewanS4BYes
British ColumbiaS5BYes
Island of NewfoundlandS2B,SUMYes
QuebecS5BYes
ManitobaS4BYes
New BrunswickS4BYes
Prince Edward IslandS3BYes
OntarioS5BYes
AlbertaS4B,SNRMYes
Roadless Areas (110)
Idaho (2)
AreaForestAcres
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Maine (2)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Michigan (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bear SwampHuron-Manistee National Forest3,915
FibreHiawatha National Forest7,432
Government IslandHiawatha National Forest225
Norwich Plains Revised Roadless AreaOttawa National Forest4,360
Minnesota (15)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Baldpate LakeSuperior National Forest486
Big IslandChippewa National Forest25
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest6,071
Elmwood IslandChippewa National Forest42
Hegman LakesSuperior National Forest675
Hegman LakesSuperior National Forest675
Kawishiwi Lake To SawbillSuperior National Forest15,305
Little Indian SiouxSuperior National Forest996
Phantom LakeSuperior National Forest6,521
Potato IslandChippewa National Forest10
South Kawishiwi RiverSuperior National Forest136
Tait LakeSuperior National Forest6,327
Wood LakeSuperior National Forest596
Montana (11)
AreaForestAcres
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,501
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Middle Mtn. / Tobacco RootsBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest96,487
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
QuiggLolo National Forest67,267
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Stony MountainLolo National Forest32,796
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
New Hampshire (15)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest4,554
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest4,312
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
North Carolina (8)
AreaForestAcres
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
SnowbirdNantahala National Forest8,489
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Oregon (3)
AreaForestAcres
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
HomesteadWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,817
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
Tennessee (3)
AreaForestAcres
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Vermont (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests9,169
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,111
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests2,456
Virginia (6)
AreaForestAcres
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
Washington (5)
AreaForestAcres
BangsColville National Forest3,746
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest4,692
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
South HuckleberryColville National Forest10,117
West Virginia (8)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wisconsin (16)
AreaForestAcres
09011 - Flynn Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,951
09012 - Round Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest3,707
09154 - St. Peters DomeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,002
09157 - Chase CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest6,140
09159 - ThornappleChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest9,744
09161 - Gates LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,255
09162 - MooseChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest6,161
09164 - Tea LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,510
09166 - East TorchChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,647
09177 - Le Roy CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest8,138
09180 - Perch LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest2,390
09181 - FoursectionChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest2,037
09182 - Pentoga RoadChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,008
09183 - Shoe Lake IslandsChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest7
09184 - Wheeler Lake IslandsChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5
09186 - Shelp LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest285
Wyoming (2)
AreaForestAcres
Piney CreekBighorn National Forest22,240
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
References (46)
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