Eastern Bluebird vs Abyssinian Thrush

Sialia sialis compared with Turdus abyssinicus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Eastern Bluebird Abyssinian Thrush
Scientific Name Sialia sialis Turdus abyssinicus
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) 21.4 cm (8.4 in)
Weight 31.0 g (1.09 oz) 68.0 g (2.40 oz)
Diet Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … --
Clutch Size 4-5 1-4
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Abyssinian Thrush
Wingspan
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Abyssinian Thrush 21.4 cm
Weight
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
Abyssinian Thrush 68.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Eastern Bluebird only

Abyssinian 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.

Abyssinian Thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Eastern Bluebird

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

Abyssinian Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

Least Concern

Abyssinian 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

Abyssinian 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.

Abyssinian Thrush

The Abyssinian Thrush weighs about 68g and is resident in highland forests of East Africa. It forages on the ground for earthworms and invertebrates in forest clearings.

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