Eastern Bluebird vs Papuan Island Thrush

Sialia sialis compared with Turdus papuensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Eastern Bluebird Papuan Island Thrush
Scientific Name Sialia sialis Turdus papuensis
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length 17.5 cm (6.9 in)
Wingspan 27.0 cm (10.6 in)
Weight 31.0 g (1.09 oz) 73.5 g (2.59 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
Papuan Island Thrush
Wingspan
Eastern Bluebird 27.0 cm
Papuan Island Thrush
Weight
Eastern Bluebird 31.0 g
Papuan Island Thrush 73.5 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Eastern Bluebird only

None

Papuan Island 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.

Papuan Island Thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Eastern Bluebird

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

Papuan Island Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Eastern Bluebird

Not Evaluated

Papuan Island 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

Papuan Island 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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