Andean Solitaire
Myadestes ralloides
The Andean Solitaire (Myadestes ralloides) is a uncommon thrush found in 5 countries, weighing about 29 g. The Andean solitaire is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes.
About the Andean Solitaire
The Andean solitaire is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Andean solitaire is 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 25.5 to 37 g (0.90 to 1.3 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies M. r. ralloides have a dull grayish olive crown and black lores on an otherwise dull medium gray face. Their back, rump, and uppertail coverts are reddish brown. Their wings are reddish brown with dark tips on the primary coverts and dark bases on the secondaries. Their tail is reddish brown with white inner webs on the outer feathers. Their underparts are dull medium gray. They have a dusky bill and pale brown legs. Voice: The Andean solitaire sings from a hidden perch high in a tree, and mostly at dawn and dusk. The songs differ among the subspecies. On the Andes' western slope it is a "leisurely, loud, lilting series of well-spaced phrases consisting of pure, flute-like liquid notes, sometimes interspersed with more guttural, gurgling ones, tliii… liidl-ii… turdelii… triilii… lur-lur… iii-uuu…".
What the Andean Solitaire sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Andean Solitaire can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Andean Solitaire?
- The Andean solitaire is 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 25.5 to 37 g (0.90 to 1.3 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Andean Solitaire?
- The Andean Solitaire is a small sized bird weighing about 29 g.
- Where can you see an Andean Solitaire?
- The Andean Solitaire occurs in 5 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia.
- What does an Andean Solitaire sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Andean Solitaire on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Andean Solitaire?
- The Andean Solitaire is most easily confused with the Brown-backed Solitaire, the Black-faced Solitaire and the Omao.
- Is the Andean Solitaire endangered?
- The Andean Solitaire is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Andean Solitaire for real
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