Townsend's Solitaire

Look for this solitaire perched upright on a conifer or juniper snag in western mountain forests, often singing a long, clear, flute-like song that carries far in quiet high-elevation air. In winter it becomes strongly tied to juniper stands, aggressively defending berry-laden trees as a food source. Its gray plumage and buffy wing patches are subtle, so song and behavior are often the quickest way to identify it.