Bird Guide

Andean Solitaire vs Townsend's Solitaire

Andean Solitaire (Myadestes ralloides)

Andean Solitaire

Myadestes ralloides

Small29 gForest

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…".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Andean Solitaire
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Uncertain · San Antonio De Los Altos (near Parroquia Macarao), Los Salias, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Christopher Canaday/NBII Image Gallery · Public domain
Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi)

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

Small33 gForest

Townsend's solitaire reaches a length of approximately 8–9.5 inches (20–24 centimetres) and wingspan of 14.5 inches (37 cm); it weighs approximately 1.2 oz (34 g). It has a short, thick, blackish bill; a white eye ring; and gray plumage with a buffy wing stripe and edges of the flight feathers. The tail is long, tapered when shut, and edged with white. Juveniles are mottled gray and white. It perches in a rather upright position, often high on a branch and often staying still for a long time. Voice: Its song consists of loud, melodious flute-like rising and falling phrases with "low, husky notes interspersed but no distinct pattern" and "a slightly mechanical quality." The call is a squeaky eeek or "clear, soft whistle heeh".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Townsend's Solitaire
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Song · St. Mary's Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Emma Glaser · CC0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Solitaire and Townsend's Solitaire.