Birding by sound: thrush ID please

[Julie]

hi

Hidden away a few yards over from us is a thrush with a lovely, spiralling flute- like song. It sounds like a Swainson's or hermit.  It's been singing for about five days. Passing through? Setting up shop?

We have had hermits and veerys in the backyard off and on for about six weeks.

Any ideas?

We're near Coxwell and Danforth, lots of yards with underbrush, mature trees, and a ravine nearby.

thanks

[GStuart]

If it spirals up... Swainson's Thrush.  If it spirals down... Veery.

[Julie]

thanks, Stuart. It's certainly an upward spiral. Is it a territorial song or does it sing on migration too, like white-throated sparrows seem to? Just trying to get a sense of whether he will stick around, and if so how rare that is.

So you're ruling out hermit thrushes, yes? (My partner just pointed out that most people would be puzzled at the prospect of hermits in a TO postage stamp backyard...)

[silverfoxx]

I lived near the Danforth for 30 years and always saw Thrushes in my postage stamp back yard during migration. Here's a link to a good audio guide where you can compare bird songs

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/view ... regionZIP=

[Brian Bailey]

Swainson's Thrushes often sing during migration.  If it is a Swainson's, it won't be staying too long.  They breed much further north.

BB