Introduction
The wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is a common but declining species in BCR14. It prefers mature, moist deciduous or mixed closed canopy forest. It is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.
Habitat Needs
This species nests both in the interior and along the edges of mature deciduous or mixed forests. It favors damp woodlands near water or swamps. Habitat features include trees taller than 50 feet, a shrub sub-canopy layer, moist soil and leaf litter. It nests in the sub-canopy layer. It forages in the leaf litter and the shrub layer for insects and fruits.
Its territory size is about 1 to 7 acres.
Habitat Management Practices
Maintain the mature shady condition of hardwoods or mixed woods on moist soils while also providing a sapling or shrub layer underneath.
When assessing properties for habitat potential, look for moist hardwood-mixedwood-producing soils such as Chesuncook, Peru, Abenaki, Ondawa, Podunk and Winooski soils among others.
Silvicultural Practices
- Use uneven-aged management. Single tree selection. Favor larger trees to leave (i.e. a higher Q-factor).