Catharus ustulatus

Breeding habitat includes dense vegetation in coniferous forests, mixed hardwood-conifer forests (e.g., across Canada and northern New England, predominantly hardwood forests (e.g., in Northeast), riparian woodland and thickets of willow or alder (e.g., California and other western states at south end of range), aspen forests (e.g. southwest part of range), and sometimes coastal scrub (California) (Mack and Yong 2000). Depending on the location, this species may be associated with young, mature, or old growth (see Mack and Wong 2000). Range-wide, nesting occurs at elevations from sea level to 2,600 meters or higher. Nests usually are in small trees, close to the trunk, often 2 meters or less above ground; often in conifers, sometimes deciduous trees or shrubs (e.g., willow).

During migration, this species uses a wide range of wooded and shrubby habitats, generally with thick undergrowth.

During the boreal winter, Swainson's thrushes inhabit a wide range of conditions that may vary with region, including primary forest, mature selva forest, tropical semideciduous forest, humid to semihumid evergreen and semideciduous forest (including pine-oak, coniferous, tropical deciduous, and cloud forest), secondary growth, and forest-pasture edges, and human-made openings with ornamental shrubs (see Mack and Yong 2000).

Nonbreeding: solitary or in loose flocks in migration (Stiles and Skutch 1989, Rappole and Warner 1980).

Clutch size usually is 3-4. Incubation, by female, lasts 10-14 days. Young are tended by both parents, leave nest at 10-14 days.