Brown-backed Solitaire
Myadestes occidentalis
The Brown-backed Solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis) is a uncommon thrush found in 5 countries, weighing about 36 g. The brown-backed solitaire is a thrush found in montane pine-oak woodlands from Mexico to Honduras.
About the Brown-backed Solitaire
The brown-backed solitaire is a thrush found in montane pine-oak woodlands from Mexico to Honduras.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The brown-backed solitaire is 20.5 to 21.5 cm (8.1 to 8.5 in) long and weighs 38 to 44 g (1.3 to 1.6 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies M. o. occidentalis have black lores with a white stripe above them, a broken white eye-ring, a white "moustache" stripe, black cheeks, and a white chin and upper throat on an otherwise dull darkish gray head. Their upper back is dull darkish gray that becomes olive-rufous on the rump and tail; the outer tail feathers have white tips. Their scapulars and the edges of their wing feathers are a richer rusty brown. Voice: One description of the brown-backed solitaire's song is "highly ventriloquial, a hesitantly starting, slowly descending sweet whistling, accelerating into squeaky, metallic jangling, jumbled crescendo". Its calls include a "metallic, slightly whining, upslurred wheeu or yeeh" and its alarm call is a "nasal rasping shiehh".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
The Brown-backed Solitaire can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Brown-backed Solitaire?
- The brown-backed solitaire is 20.5 to 21.5 cm (8.1 to 8.5 in) long and weighs 38 to 44 g (1.3 to 1.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Brown-backed Solitaire?
- The Brown-backed Solitaire is a small sized bird weighing about 36 g.
- Where can you see a Brown-backed Solitaire?
- The Brown-backed Solitaire occurs in 5 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
- What birds look similar to a Brown-backed Solitaire?
- The Brown-backed Solitaire is most easily confused with the Andean Solitaire, the Black-faced Solitaire and the Omao.
- Is the Brown-backed Solitaire endangered?
- The Brown-backed Solitaire is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Brown-backed Solitaire for real
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