This species is distinguished from the other spotted thrushes by its bold buffy eye ring and extensive buffy wash to the face and breast. Upperparts are a uniform gray-olive (more rusty on Pacific Coast birds). The flanks are olive on eastern birds, rusty on western.

Length: 15 (cm) Wingspan: 28 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a smooth ascending spiral of flutey notes that rise in pitch. Multiple call notes including a whistled swee.

Habitat:

Prefers coniferous forest over most of its range. Uses riparian woods in coastal California, deciduous and coniferous forests in eastern U.S.

Behavior:

During nocturnal migration, calls frequently. On nights with heavy cloud cover, or dense overcast, it is possible to hear hundreds of low-flying migrants uttering a softer less urgent version of the call note described above.

Feeding:

Forages for fruit and insects, often close to the ground but sometimes high in deciduous trees.