# Veery (*Catharus fuscescens*) The Veery is a small, brown bird that loves to sing beautiful songs in the forest. It has a lovely, soft voice that you might hear in the early morning or late evening. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Veery](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Veery_in_CP_%2843277%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veery_in_CP_%2843277%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Veery is a medium-sized thrush, distinct for its uniform russet-brown upperparts. Its breast is a warm cinnamon-buff, subtly spotted, contrasting with a clean white belly. It appears plainer than other spotted thrushes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Turdidae - **Genus:** Catharus ## Interesting facts - Its mesmerizing song sounds like a flute playing a spiraling 'veeer-tyu' tune! - Some Veeries travel over 8,000 kilometers from Canada to the Amazon basin! - Veeries often build nests low in dense bushes to avoid sneaky predators! - Veery babies are born completely featherless and blind, needing constant care! ## Special abilities - **Sonic Spiralist:** Veery can sing an ethereal, spiraling song because of its unique vocal cords that help it communicate in dense forests. - **Forest Blending:** Veery has russet-brown feathers that help them disappear into the dappled light of the forest undergrowth. - **Migration Master:** Veery can navigate thousands of kilometers because of its innate sense of direction that helps it reach wintering grounds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-19 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.029-0.039 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 10-12 days - **Migration Distance:** 6000 km ## Diet & Feeding Veeries are insect-eating birds that also enjoy munching on yummy berries from plants. - **Age differences:** Young birds are fed mostly insects for rapid growth, while adults consume more fruit later in the season. - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Beetles, Ants, Spiders, Wild Berries, Small Snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Preys on adult Veeries. - **Eats:** [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) — Raids nests for eggs and chicks. - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — Lays its eggs in Veery nests. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat-snake) (*Pantherophis obsoletus*) — Climbs trees to take eggs or chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Veery? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Veery? 16-19 cm ### What is Veery's wingspan? 28-30 cm ### How much does Veery weigh? 0.029-0.039 kg ### How long does Veery live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Veery move? 55 km/h ### What does Veery eat? Veeries are insect-eating birds that also enjoy munching on yummy berries from plants. ### Where is Veery usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Jumel Terrace Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jumel-terrace-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [North and South Brother Islands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-and-south-brother-islands) — US · Nature Reserve - [Skylands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skylands) — New Jersey, US · Botanical Garden - [Concord Civic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-civic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Lost River Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lost-river-cave) — Kentucky, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Veery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/veery) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Veery: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/veery)