Hermit Thrush vs Eastern Bluebird

Catharus guttatus compared with Sialia sialis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hermit Thrush Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name Catharus guttatus Sialia sialis
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 17.5 cm (6.9 in)
Wingspan 17.8 cm (7.0 in) 27.0 cm (10.6 in)
Weight 28.0 g (0.99 oz) 31.0 g (1.09 oz)
Diet -- Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to …
Clutch Size 3-6 4-5
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Wingspan
Hermit Thrush 17.8 cm
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Weight
Hermit Thrush 28.0 g
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Hermit Thrush only

Eastern Bluebird only

None

Eastern Bluebird

Open woodland, farmland edges, orchards, and parks with scattered trees and open ground. Readily uses nest boxes.

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Song & Call Comparison

Hermit Thrush

Eastern Bluebird

Song

A rich, melodious warbled 'chur-wi, tur-a-lee' song. Both sexes sing. Call is a soft, musical 'turee'. Song is gentle and flute-like, suggesting a small thrush. Given from exposed perch.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Hermit Thrush

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern North America from southern Canada to Honduras and Nicaragua. Partially migratory.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Hermit Thrush

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

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How to Tell Them Apart

Hermit Thrush

Eastern Bluebird

Plumage

Males are vivid royal blue above with a rusty-red breast and white belly. Females are grey-blue with a paler rust breast.

Bill

Short, thin, dark bill

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About These Birds

Eastern Bluebird

The eastern bluebird is a beloved symbol of happiness in North America. Once declining due to habitat loss and competition from introduced species, populations recovered dramatically thanks to a massive citizen science nest box campaign. These gentle thrushes form loose winter flocks and huddle together in nest boxes during cold snaps.

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Related Comparisons

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