Bird Guide

Townsend's Solitaire vs Varied Thrush

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
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)

Varied Thrush

Ixoreus naevius

Medium78 gForest

The varied thrush is a fairly large thrush species. It can range from 20 to 26 cm (7.9 to 10.2 in) in length and can span 34 to 42 cm (13 to 17 in) across the wings. Body mass can vary from 65 to 100 g (2.3 to 3.5 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 11.8 to 13.6 cm (4.6 to 5.4 in), the bill is 1.8 to 2.3 cm (0.71 to 0.91 in) and the tarsus is 2.9 to 3.3 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in). It is similar in size to the widespread American robin, though the varied is on average shorter with a heavier, more robust build. In general, varied thrushes feature intense orange and black feathers.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Sean Vanderluit · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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