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Thrushes (Turdidae)

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) - HBW 10, p. 704

French: Grive à dos olive German: Zwergdrossel Spanish: Zorzalito de Swainson
Other common names: Russet-backed Thrush (nominate); Olive-backed Thrush (swainsoni)

Taxonomy: Turdus ustulatus Nuttall, 1840, forests of the Oregon = Fort Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Formerly placed in Hylocichla, along with C. fuscescens, C. minimus, C. bicknelli and C. guttatus. Races fall into two groups, russet-backed “nominate group” (also with phillipsi and oedicus) and olive-backed “swainsoni group” (also with incanus and appalachiensis); these differ not only in morphology but also in breeding habitat, certain vocalizations and wintering areas, but separate species status for the two has not, apparently, been mooted. Proposed race almae synonymized with nominate. Six subspecies re.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Turdus ustulatus Nuttall, 1840, forests of the Oregon = Fort Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Formerly placed in Hylocichla, along with C. fuscescens, C. minimus, C. bicknelli and C. guttatus. Races fall into two groups, russet-backed “nominate group” (also with phillipsi and oedicus) and olive-backed “swainsoni group” (also with incanus and appalachiensis); these differ not only in morphology but also in breeding habitat, certain vocalizations and wintering areas, but separate species status for the two has not, apparently, been mooted. Proposed race almae synonymized with nominate. Six subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • incanus (Godfrey, 1952) - C & E Alaska and W Canada; non-breeding Colombia and Venezuela S to Peru.
  • swainsoni (Tschudi, 1845) - C & E Canada and N USA; non-breeding South America.
  • appalachiensis Ramos, 1991 - E USA; non-breeding Colombia S to NE Peru.

     See all 6 subspecies
  • incanus (Godfrey, 1952) - C & E Alaska and W Canada; non-breeding Colombia and Venezuela S to Peru.
  • swainsoni (Tschudi, 1845) - C & E Canada and N USA; non-breeding South America.
  • appalachiensis Ramos, 1991 - E USA; non-breeding Colombia S to NE Peru.
  • ustulatus (Nuttall, 1840) - Pacific coast from SE Alaska S to N California and N New Mexico; non-breeding Mexico S to Panama.
  • phillipsi Ramos, 1991 - Queen Charlotte Is (W Canada); non-breeding E & W Mexico.
  • oedicus (Oberholser, 1899) - SW USA (California); non-breeding W Mexico S to Nicaragua.
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