Sclater's Nightingale-thrush vs Eastern Bluebird

Catharus maculatus compared with Sialia sialis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sclater's Nightingale-thrush Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name Catharus maculatus Sialia sialis
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — 17.5 cm (6.9 in)
Wingspan 18.3 cm (7.2 in) 27.0 cm (10.6 in)
Weight 37.8 g (1.33 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 -- 4-5
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush —
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Wingspan
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush 18.3 cm
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Weight
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush 37.8 g
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush only

Eastern Bluebird only

Eastern Bluebird

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

Song & Call Comparison

Sclater's Nightingale-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.

Geographic Range & Migration

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Eastern Bluebird

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

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

How to Tell Them Apart

Sclater's Nightingale-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

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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