Bird field guide · Thrushes

Photographing the Townsend's Solitaire

How to photograph the Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, April, October and December).

16–28 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
16–28 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/7.1
Aperture
11,351
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/7.1
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens400–600 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 22 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)256 mm378 mm171 mm128 mm
10 m (33 ft)512 mm756 mm342 mm256 mm
15 m (49 ft)769 mm1,134 mm512 mm384 mm
20 m (66 ft)1,025 mm1,513 mm683 mm512 mm
30 m (98 ft)1,537 mm2,269 mm1,025 mm769 mm
50 m (164 ft)2,562 mm3,782 mm1,708 mm1,281 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 7% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 12% Apr May: 7% May Jun: 6% Jun Jul: 7% Jul Aug: 5% Aug Sep: 8% Sep Oct: 10% Oct Nov: 9% Nov Dec: 9% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, April, October and December.

About the Townsend's Solitaire#

Townsend's solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) is a medium-sized thrush, the only solitaire native to America north of Mexico.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Lawns after rain are reliable for robins.
  • Bluebirds use nest boxes — keep a respectful distance during nesting.
  • Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
  • Sightings peak in January, April, October and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Thrushes#

American Robin American RobinTurdus migratorius Eastern Bluebird Eastern BluebirdSialia sialis Western Bluebird Western BluebirdSialia mexicana Hermit Thrush Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus Swainson's Thrush Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatus Clay-colored Thrush Clay-colored ThrushTurdus grayi Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoides Wood Thrush Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Townsend's Solitaire?

At about 22 cm long, a townsend's solitaire fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 512 mm, or at 20 m with 1,025 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Townsend's Solitaire?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Townsend's Solitaire?

Observations in North America peak in January, April, October and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources