What does veery mean?
The veery is a medium-sized thrush native to eastern North America, recognized by its warm brown back, pale breast marked with dark spots, and exceptionally fluid song. Its song is often described as spiraling or gradually descending in pitch, producing a haunting impression that can carry through dense woodland. The bird is relatively inconspicuous in appearance and is often detected by its voice rather than seen clearly. It breeds in deciduous and mixed forests, including areas with thick understory, and migrates south during the colder months. In United States and Canadian birding, veery is the familiar name for the species, while Wilson's thrush remains an alternative encountered in historical literature. The word is useful for North American readers because it names a bird whose distinctive song makes it more memorable than its subdued appearance might suggest. It is especially associated with summer forests and is sometimes regarded as a characteristic sound of wooded habitats.
nounA medium-sized North American thrush, Catharus fuscescens, with warm brown upperparts, a pale spotted breast, and a distinctive spiraling song that typically descends in pitch.
- A North American thrush with brown upperparts, a spotted breast, and a fluid, descending song.
"A veery sang from the hemlock, its notes spiraling downward through the humid evening."
"A veery sang from the hemlock, its notes spiraling downward through the humid evening."
"The trail guide noted that the veery was one of the forest's most elusive songbirds."
The standard plural is veeries.
"Several veeries called from the undergrowth at dusk."
The veery's haunting song spirals downward, as if the bird were gradually disappearing into the forest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of veery
The name veery appeared in American English during the 19th century. It is generally traced to a French form related to virer, meaning 'to turn,' ultimately from Latin variare, 'to vary or turn.' This connects the name with words such as variety, various, and variable, although the precise motivation for applying the name to the bird is less certain.
Related word forms
How veery is actually used
Veery is standard birding terminology in the United States and Canada but is not ordinarily part of general British vocabulary. The alternative name Wilson's thrush may appear in older works and in taxonomic references.
Easily confused with veery
A veery is a relatively large thrush with a spotted breast, whereas a vireo is a small, often brightly colored songbird in a different family.