Catharus ustulatus (Swainson's Thrush)

The Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) is a medium-sized songbird found across North America, breeding in coniferous and mixed forests from Alaska south through the western mountains and eastern boreal regions. Named for its distinctive spiraling song that rises in pitch, this thrush is a long-distance migrant that winters in Central and South America. During breeding season in summer, they inhabit the cool, moist forests of the Pacific Northwest, including the Puget lowland forests of Washington, where they forage for insects and berries among the understory vegetation. The species is known for its cryptic habits, often remaining hidden in dense foliage, making sightings on open perches like this a valued moment for observers.