Eastern Bluebird vs Sooty Thrush
Sialia sialis compared with Turdus nigrescens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Bluebird | Sooty Thrush |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sialia sialis | Turdus nigrescens |
| 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) | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) |
| Weight | 31.0 g (1.09 oz) | 96.0 g (3.39 oz) |
| Diet | Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Eastern Bluebird
Open woodland, farmland edges, orchards, and parks with scattered trees and open ground. Readily uses nest boxes.
Song & Call Comparison
Eastern Bluebird
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.
Sooty Thrush
Geographic Range & Migration
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern North America from southern Canada to Honduras and Nicaragua. Partially migratory.
Sooty Thrush
Conservation Status
Eastern Bluebird
Sooty Thrush
How to Tell Them Apart
Eastern Bluebird
Males are vivid royal blue above with a rusty-red breast and white belly. Females are grey-blue with a paler rust breast.
Short, thin, dark bill
Sooty 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.