Swainson's Thrush vs Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Also known as: Olive-Backed Thrush, Russet-Backed Thrush

How to recognise a Swainson's thrush?

General appearance

Swainson's thrush is a medium-sized thrush with a length of about 16-20 cm and a wingspan of 30-33 cm. It is characterized by olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts with a buffy wash on the breast, and distinct dark spots on the throat and chest. The bird features a pale, prominent eye-ring, giving it a spectacled appearance. The legs are pink, and the bill is relatively short and straight.

Male vs female

Males and females of Swainson's thrush appear similar, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Both sexes share the same coloration and markings. The slight size differences are not noticeable without direct comparison.

Juvenile

Juvenile Swainson's thrushes resemble adults but tend to have more rufous tones in their plumage. They may exhibit more pronounced spotting across the breast and a slightly duller appearance overall. The eye-ring remains noticeable in juveniles, aiding in identification.

Size

6.3 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Swainson's thrush primarily breeds in the far north and mountainous coniferous forests with leafy undergrowth. It also breeds in deciduous trees and thickets along streams on the Pacific Coast.

Additional range

During migration, it can be found in many different types of woodlands. In winter, it resides in tropical forests.

Range Map

What do Swainson's thrushes like to eat?

Natural diet

In North America, the Swainson's thrush primarily consumes a wide variety of insects such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, crickets, wasps, flies, moths, and others, along with spiders and other invertebrates. Berries and fruits account for over one-third of its diet during the summer. Its winter diet in the tropics remains not well documented, but the bird is frequently observed in fruiting trees, suggesting fruits may play a significant role.

Bird feeders

The Swainson's thrush is not commonly observed at bird feeders, as it prefers to forage in natural habitats. However, it may occasionally visit gardens where berry bushes are present or if insects are abundant.

What does a Swainson's thrush sound like?

The vocalizations of the Swainson's Thrush include a series of reedy, spiraling notes that inflect upward, creating a melodious, flute-like song. The call's pattern has a characteristic rising, undulating nature, with the chirp, chip, hi, whistle sounds further adding to the bird's rich aural profile. These distinctive sounds make their song immediately appreciable, exhibiting an evocative charm and a serene rhythm.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

How to recognise a gray-cheeked thrush?

General appearance

The gray-cheeked thrush is approximately 6 1/2 -8 inches (17-20 cm) in size, comparable to a robin or sparrow. The creature has a dull brown back with a spotted chest, and facial tones that are predominantly grayish. It exhibits a paler hue around the eye, especially behind it, lacking a well-defined eye-ring. The bird's wings are pointed and its tail can be notched, rounded, or square-tipped.

Male vs female

External physical differences between the male and female gray-cheeked thrush are minimal, making it challenging to differentiate between the sexes based on appearance alone. Both possess similar coloration of black, brown, gray, and white, and share the distinctive lack of strong buff tones on the face and neck.

Juvenile

Juvenile gray-cheeked thrushes resemble adults, but their markings are typically less distinctive. They also may exhibit seasonal variations in appearance, with their plumage changing throughout their early development stages. As with the adults, the juvenile birds have a characteristic paler ring around their eyes, and lack any strong buff tones on their face and neck.

Size

6.3 - 6.7 in/0.9 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The gray-cheeked thrush primarily breeds in the northern spruce forests and tundra thickets of willow and alder. These areas are often open, stunted, and the climate is typically cold.

Additional range

For migration, they inhabit other woodlands. Additionally, they winter in unexpected areas - tropical forests, a stark contrast to their typical cold climate preferences.

Range Map

What do gray-cheeked thrushes like to eat?

Natural diet

The gray-cheeked thrush primarily consumes a diverse range of insects and berries. In North America, it feeds on various insects including beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, fly larvae, along with spiders and other invertebrates. It also eats numerous berries and wild fruits. However, specific dietary habits during the winter in the tropics are not well-documented.

Bird feeders

There is no specific information indicating that gray-cheeked thrushes commonly visit bird feeders. Typically, their diet does not align with the foods often found in standard bird feeders which are mostly seeds and grains.

What does a gray-cheeked thrush sound like?

The Gray-cheeked Thrush produces a series of thin, reedy notes emphasized by a downward pitch at the end, creating a falling, undulating sound. Its typical calls encompass a variety of sounds including chirps or chips, a flute-like call, trills, and a whistling sound. Its distinctive vocal pattern and unique range of sounds make it easily identifiable by its call.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Swainson's Thrush

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Gray-Cheeked Thrush