Birdsong field guide
Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
The Townsend's Solitaire is a slender, long-tailed thrush of the American West, recognized by its overall gray plumage, white eye-ring, and buffy wing patches.
What it sounds like
A long, complex, and melodious warble with flute-like notes; the most common call is a sharp, clear, metallic 'prip' or 'tweee'.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It is one of the few North American birds that defends a feeding territory in the winter, specifically centered around juniper trees.
- During the winter, a single solitaire can consume several thousand juniper berries per day, which comprise nearly its entire diet.
- Unlike most thrushes that nest in trees or shrubs, this species typically builds its nest on the ground, often tucked into a bank or under a log.
- The species was named in honor of John Kirk Townsend, an influential 19th-century American naturalist and collector.
- Its silhouette is distinctively upright and elongated, often observed perching on the very highest tips of coniferous trees.
Habitat
Montane coniferous forests during the breeding season; juniper woodlands and open shrublands during winter.
Range
Western North America, ranging from Alaska and Western Canada south through the Rocky Mountains to the highlands of Mexico.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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