Eastern Bluebird vs Black-throated Thrush

Sialia sialis compared with Turdus atrogularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Eastern Bluebird Black-throated Thrush
Scientific Name Sialia sialis Turdus atrogularis
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) 26.6 cm (10.5 in)
Weight 31.0 g (1.09 oz) 90.2 g (3.18 oz)
Diet Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … --
Clutch Size 4-5 4-7
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Eastern Bluebird 17.5 cm
Black-throated Thrush —
Wingspan
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Black-throated Thrush 26.6 cm
Weight
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
Black-throated Thrush 90.2 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Eastern Bluebird only

Black-throated 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.

Black-throated Thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Eastern Bluebird

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

Black-throated Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

Least Concern

Black-throated 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

Black-throated 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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