Eastern Bluebird vs Rufous Flycatcher-thrush

Sialia sialis compared with Stizorhina fraseri

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Eastern Bluebird Rufous Flycatcher-thrush
Scientific Name Sialia sialis Stizorhina fraseri
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 17.5 cm (6.9 in) —
Wingspan 27.0 cm (10.6 in) 18.8 cm (7.4 in)
Weight 31.0 g (1.09 oz) 34.85 g (1.23 oz)
Diet Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … --
Clutch Size 4-5 1-2
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush —
Wingspan
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush 18.8 cm
Weight
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush 34.85 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Eastern Bluebird only

Rufous Flycatcher-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.

Rufous Flycatcher-thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Eastern Bluebird

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

Rufous Flycatcher-thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

Least Concern

Rufous Flycatcher-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

Rufous Flycatcher-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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