American Robin vs Black-billed Thrush

Turdus migratorius compared with Turdus ignobilis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute American Robin Black-billed Thrush
Scientific Name Turdus migratorius Turdus ignobilis
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) 22.1 cm (8.7 in)
Weight 77.0 g (2.72 oz) 64.71666666666667 g (2.28 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

Body Length
American Robin 25.0 cm
Black-billed Thrush —
Wingspan
American Robin 36.0 cm
Black-billed Thrush 22.1 cm
Weight
American Robin 77.0 g
Black-billed Thrush 64.71666666666667 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

American Robin only

Black-billed 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

Song

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 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 Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

American Robin

Least Concern

Black-billed Thrush

How to Tell Them Apart

American Robin

Plumage

Dark grey-brown upperparts with a warm brick-red breast and belly. White eye-ring and streaked white throat. Female slightly paler.

Bill

Bright yellow bill with a dark tip

Black-billed 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 Thrush

The Black-billed Thrush is a medium-sized, plain thrush widely distributed across northern and central South America from Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia and Brazil. It has olive-brown upperparts, streaked brownish-white underparts, and a distinctive dark bill. It inhabits forest edges, secondary growth, gardens, and open woodland, feeding on earthworms, insects, and berries.

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