Eastern Bluebird vs Bassian Thrush
Sialia sialis compared with Zoothera lunulata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Bluebird | Bassian Thrush |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sialia sialis | Zoothera lunulata |
| 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) | 26.7 cm (10.5 in) |
| Weight | 31.0 g (1.09 oz) | 114.0 g (4.02 oz) |
| Diet | Insects in summer, berries in winter. Hunts from low perches, dropping to the ground to … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-5 | 2-3 |
| 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.
Bassian Thrush
Geographic Range & Migration
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern North America from southern Canada to Honduras and Nicaragua. Partially migratory.
Bassian Thrush
Conservation Status
Eastern Bluebird
Bassian 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
Bassian 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.
Bassian Thrush
The Bassian Thrush is a ground-dwelling thrush of the family Turdidae found in moist forests, gullies, and rainforest across southeastern Australia and Tasmania. Weighing about 114g with a wingspan of 26.7cm, it has scalloped brown-and-buff plumage providing excellent camouflage on the forest floor. It feeds on earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates found in leaf litter.