"Bird of the Month" Profiles:

Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)

Length: 7 inches
Wingspan: 12 inches
Weight: 31 grams
Diet: Insects

Fall migration of eastern populations is mostly along the Atlantic coast (peaking in August in the Maritimes and October in Florida) and across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America, then south to South America.  The winter range of these populations extends from northernmost South America south through the western Amazon Basin to northern Argentina. 

They depart these areas in March, moving north along the east side of Central America and up the west side of the Gulf of Mexico in April and May, then fanning out across the Mississippi Valley, arriving on the breeding grounds in May and June.  Western populations migrate both north and south along the Pacific coast and winter in tropical Mexico and Central America.

(Birding content courtesy of Boreal Songbird Initiative & eNature)

Range and Migration Map

Arrows represent general migration routes. The arrows do not necessarily link specific breeding and wintering grounds.

The following shade-grown varieties of COFFEE FOR THE BIRDS™ help to preserve winter habitat for this species:

• Mexico
• Mexico Decaf
• Peru
• Guatemala
• Guatemala VR
• Costa Rica