Bird Finder for December 10: Townsend’s Solitaire

December 10, 2015

Townsend’s Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi

by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation

What it looks like: A long-tailed gray bird of the western mountains, the Townsend’s Solitaire superficially resembles a mockingbird, although somewhat smaller. A slim grey bird with white outer tail feathers and a white eye ring, the solitaire exhibits a buffy wing stripe in flight. This bird may often perch on the top of trees and shrubs.

When to find it: A Townsend’s Solitaire is currently being seen in Cos Cob on Valley Wood Road, between house numbers 59 and 75. The bird has been seen in the treetops and along the powerline. Check the COA site before you go.

Birders are welcome but please observe private property and refrain from using callback tapes.

This is only the third record of Townsend’s Solitaire in Connecticut, one in 1939 in Hartford and one in 1983 in Bethel. Both are listed as “hypothetical” in Connecticut Birds (Baptist and Zeranski) because of a lack of photographic records but I saw the bird in Bethel and can vouch for it being more than hypothetical.

How to find it: Scanning the tree tops is perhaps the best way to find this bird, however, it has been vocalizing somewhat as well. Listen for a clear, high pitched whistle… “TEW.” Other birders are likely to be there, so ask for help.

What if the bird is not there: This neighborhood seems to be particularly attractive to birds. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has also been reported here.

Conservation status: The IUCN lists the Townsend’s Solitaire as Least Concern.

Photo by David Mitchell, Carolinabirds.org