Unusual Visitor!

A rare sighting on Fishers Island: the veery, a small North American thrush. FIConservancy naturalist Justine Kibbe caught this image of the veery, May 3, when it hopped toward her near Silver Eel Pond.

FIConservancy President Tom Sargent said the veery has never been counted in FIConservancy’s annual Bird Migration Count (scheduled for Sun. May 19), but thinks he heard the bird’s melodic song a few years ago.

The veery prefers moist leafy woods and forages mostly by hopping about on the ground or in low vegetation to take insects from foliage. It hovers and takes short flights to catch insects in mid-air and also feeds on berries found in shrubs and trees.

According to Audubon’s, Guide to North American Birds, one place veeries like to breed is in damp areas near beaver wetlands. See pictures of beaver sighting on Fishers. The veery winters in central and southern Brazil.

Justine Kibbe Photo