American Robin vs Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
Turdus migratorius compared with Catharus gracilirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Robin | Black-billed Nightingale-thrush |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Turdus migratorius | Catharus gracilirostris |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae | Turdidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | 15.2 cm (6.0 in) |
| Weight | 77.0 g (2.72 oz) | 20.450000000000003 g (0.72 oz) |
| Diet | Earthworms, insects, and fruit. Famously hunts earthworms on lawns by running, stopping, and tilting its … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
American Robin only
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush only
None
American Robin
Lawns, parks, gardens, farmland, and forest edges. One of the most familiar birds in suburban North America.
Song & Call Comparison
American Robin
A clear, caroling song of 2-3 note phrases: 'cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio'. Sings from dawn perches. Sharp 'tut-tut-tut' alarm call and thin 'seeee' flight note.
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
Geographic Range & Migration
American Robin
North America from Alaska and Canada to Mexico. Northern populations migrate south in winter; southern populations are largely resident.
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
Conservation Status
American Robin
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
How to Tell Them Apart
American Robin
Dark grey-brown upperparts with a warm brick-red breast and belly. White eye-ring and streaked white throat. Female slightly paler.
Bright yellow bill with a dark tip
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
About These Birds
American Robin
The American robin is widely regarded as a harbinger of spring across North America. Despite its name, it is a true thrush unrelated to the European robin. American robins produce two to three broods per year and are among the earliest birds to sing in the morning chorus.
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush
The Black-billed Nightingale-thrush is a small, secretive thrush of high-elevation oak and cloud forests in Costa Rica and western Panama, recognized by its dark bill, plain olive-brown upperparts, and washed orange-buff underparts. It inhabits the dense understory of montane forests above 1,500 meters. It feeds on insects, small fruits, and berries, foraging primarily on or near the ground.