Scientific Name:
Catharus fuscescens
Nest Type: Cup
Nest Location: Ground
or shrubs; 0-6' (up to 25')
Clutch Size: 3-5;
avg. 4
Food: Insects, fruit
Foraging Guild:
Ground and foliage gleaner, swoops
The breeding range of the
Veery extends across southern Canada, and from the northern tier of
states south into the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians (Peterson
1980). This species is most common in the northern half of Minnesota,
and in moist deciduous forests of the central region (Janssen 1987).
It is a long distance migrant, wintering from Central America south
to northern Columbia and central Brazil (Ehrlich et al. 1988). The spring
migration period extends from late April to late May with the bulk of
migrants arriving in mid-May. Fall migration is from late July to late
September (Janssen 1987).
The Veery nests in a variety
of open deciduous and mixed woodlands with dense understories of deciduous
shrubs or thickets. According to Ehrlich et al. (1988), the Veery prefers
a moist substrate and expands its range of breeding habitat where the
Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes are absent. In the Michigan Breeding
Bird Atlas Habitat Survey, most Veeries were found in moist forest types,
generally northern hardwoods, and often with a conifer component. In
the southern Lower Peninsula, Veeries were virtually absent from drier
forests (Brewer et al. 1991). In New York, Webb et al. (1977) found
a significant upward trend in numbers of Veeries with increased intensity
of logging. They recorded the greatest numbers on plots where 100% of
the commercial grade timber was harvested (Webb et al. 1977). Robbins
et al. (1989) found a significant correlation between the occurrence
of Veeries and foliage density 0.3-1.0 m tall, as well as a significant
correlation with the moisture gradient. They also found significant
negative correlations with canopy height and number of tree species
(Robbins et al. 1989).
According to Harrison (1975),
competition between the Hermit Thrush and the Veery is reduced by their
differing habitat preferences. Data from northern Minnesota suggest
that there is considerable overlap in the habitat types used by these
two species (Hanowski and Niemi 1991a, Hanowski and Niemi 1991b). In
general, the Veery is more common in deciduous habitats and the Hermit
Thrush shows a preference for coniferous habitats. On the Chippewa National
Forest in northeastern Minnesota, highest densities of Veeries were
recorded in saw-sized balsam fir-aspen-paper birch (10 pairs/40 acres),
and the highest densities of Hermit Thrushes were recorded in pole-sized
balsam fir-aspen-paper birch (7 pairs/40 acres). After mixed forest,
highest densities of Veeries were found in mature oak (7 pairs/40 acres),
jack pine saplings (6.8 pairs/40 acres), and aspen saplings (6 pairs/40
acres). Probst et al. (1992) also found the Veery to be common in both
intermediate and mature stages of aspen regeneration. Because of its
affinity with primarily deciduous trees species, it was classified as
a hardwood dependent bird.
In contrast, after mixed
forest, highest densities of Hermit Thrushes were found in lowland conifer
habitats including pole-sized white cedar, and pole-sized and sapling
black spruce (Hanowski and Niemi 1991b). On the Superior National Forest
there was even greater overlap in the habitat choices of the two species.
In general, Veeries were more common in deciduous and upland conifer
habitats and Hermit Thrushes preferred lowland conifers (Hanowski and
Niemi 1991a).
The Veery nests on or near
the ground, often in a brush pile. In New Hampshire, Holmes (1990) found
22 nests, all within 2 m of the ground. Three to five eggs are laid
(Harrison 1975), and one brood is raised during the season (Ehrlich
et al. 1988). As with other songbirds, forest fragmentation may result
in higher levels of predation on Veery nests (Wilcove 1985). The diet
of this species consists of insects and spiders as well as some fruit,
especially in fall and winter (Ehrlich et al. 1988).
There is some evidence
to suggest that the Veery is an area-sensitive species (Blake and Karr
1984, Robbins et al. 1989, Brewer et al. 1991). In a study conducted
in east-central Illinois, Blake and Karr (1984) did not detect this
species in forest islands of less than 70 acres. According to Brewer
et al. (1991), the Veery has declined in areas in Michigan where intensive
urbanization and agriculture have reduced previously extensive forests
to remnant woodlots. Robbins et al. (1989) found a significant correlation
between the occurrence of Veeries and the area of the forest tract.
They suggest that 50 acres is the minimum area required for breeding,
although the maximum probability of occurrence was in tracts of 625
acres (Robbins et al. 1989). This evidence suggests that fragmentation
is likely detrimental to the Veery. However, more information is required
to determine its sensitivity to fragmentation in Minnesota.
Data collected in the USFWS
Breeding Bird Survey showed decreases in Maryland and New Hampshire
as well as in the western states. Increases were recorded in Vermont
and New Brunswick (Robbins et al. 1986). A slight decline over the past
25 years was reported for Minnesota (Janssen 1990).
