The wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is a medium-sized North American thrush. These birds breed in deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America. They migrate to Central America for the winter. Wood thrushes have a beautiful, flute-like song that stands out in the forests where they live. Given their limited range and declining numbers, bird watchers are often interested in learning where wood thrushes can be found. This article will explore whether wood thrushes occur in the state of Michigan.
Range of the Wood Thrush
The wood thrush has a breeding range that extends across much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the wood thrush breeds in parts of the following states and provinces:
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Ohio
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
As we can see, the wood thrush’s breeding range includes the state of Michigan. The wood thrush can be found nesting in appropriate habitat across much of the Lower Peninsula and in some parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Suitable Habitat in Michigan
The wood thrush nests in mature deciduous and mixed forests with a well-developed understory. They prefer forests with tall trees, moderate densities, and moist soil. Floodplain forests are a prime habitat type used by wood thrush.
Michigan has extensive forest land covering over 50% of the state. Northern hardwood and aspen-birch forests dominate the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Oak-hickory forests are common in the southern Lower Peninsula. These forest types provide suitable breeding habitat for the wood thrush in many areas.
Some key locations in Michigan where wood thrushes can be found in summer include:
- Rogue River State Game Area
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary
- Waterloo Recreation Area
- Pinckney Recreation Area
- Brighton Recreation Area
- Fort Custer Recreation Area
- Comstock Township
- Allegan State Game Area
- Pigeon River Country State Forest
Wood Thrush Sightings in Michigan
According to eBird records, wood thrush sightings have been documented across much of Michigan in recent decades. Here is a sample of reported wood thrush observations in different regions:
Upper Peninsula
- Seen and heard singing near Wetmore Landing in Alger County on June 17, 2022
- Observed at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in June 2018
- Detected during summer breeding bird surveys in Chippewa County
Northern Lower Peninsula
- Recorded at Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County on June 1, 2021
- Several singing males documented along the Lincoln Hills Pathway in Emmet County on June 5, 2020
- Found nesting in Mackinaw State Forest in Cheboygan County in summer 2017
Southern Lower Peninsula
- Seen repeatedly along trails in Waterloo Recreation Area in Washtenaw County in May 2022
- Observed feeding fledglings in Leader Nature Preserve in Barry County on July 2, 2019
- Detected on multiple breeding bird survey routes in St. Joseph County
These recent observations confirm that wood thrushes continue to breed in suitable forest habitat throughout Michigan.
Population Trends in Michigan
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, wood thrushes have been declining significantly across most of their breeding range since the 1960s. Michigan is no exception to this trend.
Breeding Bird Survey data shows an annual decline of over 3% per year for wood thrushes in Michigan between 1966-2015. Christmas Bird Count data also shows a long-term decline in wintering wood thrush numbers in the state.
Habitat loss on the breeding grounds and wintering grounds is believed to be the biggest driver of wood thrush declines. Forest fragmentation from urban development and maturing forest stands not replaced by younger growth have reduced habitat suitability in many areas.
While wood thrushes still inhabit forests across Michigan, their populations are a fraction of historical levels. Continued habitat conservation and restoration will be important for maintaining wood thrush populations in the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wood thrushes are confirmed to breed across much of Michigan based on sightings data and their known range. Suitable deciduous forest habitat exists in many parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. However, wood thrush numbers have seen steep declines in Michigan and rangewide. Protecting mature forest stands and regenerating young forest will be key for this species. Birders visiting Michigan’s state parks and forests should listen for the flute-like song to have a chance of spotting this declining forest songbird.
