Eastern Bluebird vs Spotted Ground-thrush

Sialia sialis compared with Geokichla guttata

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Eastern Bluebird Spotted Ground-thrush
Scientific Name Sialia sialis Geokichla guttata
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length 17.5 cm (6.9 in)
Wingspan 27.0 cm (10.6 in) 23.3 cm (9.2 in)
Weight 31.0 g (1.09 oz) 63.833333333333336 g (2.25 oz)
Diet Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … --
Clutch Size 4-5 1-3
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Spotted Ground-thrush
Wingspan
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Spotted Ground-thrush 23.3 cm
Weight
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
Spotted Ground-thrush 63.833333333333336 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Eastern Bluebird only

Spotted Ground-thrush only

Eastern Bluebird

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

Song & Call Comparison

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.

Spotted Ground-thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Eastern Bluebird

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

Spotted Ground-thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

Vulnerable

Spotted Ground-thrush

How to Tell Them Apart

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

Spotted Ground-thrush

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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