Grey-cheeked Thrush
Catharus minimus
The Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) is a common thrush found in 35 countries, weighing about 32 g. The gray-cheeked thrush is a medium-sized thrush.
About the Grey-cheeked Thrush
The gray-cheeked thrush is a medium-sized thrush. This species is 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length, and has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. It is a member of a close-knit group of migrant species together with the veery and Bicknell's thrush; it forms a cryptic species pair with the latter. The gray-cheeked thrush is all but indistinguishable from Bicknell's thrush except by its slightly larger size and different song. The two were formerly considered conspecific. Of all the American spotted thrushes, the gray-cheeked has the most northern breeding range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The gray-cheeked thrush is slightly larger than other Catharus thrushes, about 16 to 17 cm (6.7 in) in height and weighing between 26 and 30g. Wingspan ranges from 12.6-13.4 in (32-34 cm). The bird can be identified by its grayish face, partial pale eyering, drab gray-brown upperside and extensively dusky flanks. The area between the eye and the beak is grayish as well, but the area running from the beak to above the eye is grayish white. The gray-cheeked thrush is nearly identical to the Bicknell's Thrush. Voice: The vocalizations of the gray-cheeked thrush are the most reliable way to identify it, compared to the Bicknell's Thrush. It has a complex song of burry flute-like notes, usually inflecting downward at the end. It resembles a descending spiral like the veery (Catharus fuscescens), but higher, thinner, and nasal with stuttering pauses: "ch-ch zreeew zi-zi-zreeee zizreeew".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Norway, Portugal, France, Jamaica, Martinique, Turks & Caicos Islands.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, September, October, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey-cheeked Thrush?
- The gray-cheeked thrush is slightly larger than other Catharus thrushes, about 16 to 17 cm (6.7 in) in height and weighing between 26 and 30g. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey-cheeked Thrush?
- The Grey-cheeked Thrush is a small sized bird weighing about 32 g.
- Where can you see a Grey-cheeked Thrush?
- The Grey-cheeked Thrush occurs in 35 countries, including the United States, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama.
- What birds look similar to a Grey-cheeked Thrush?
- The Grey-cheeked Thrush is most easily confused with the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, the Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush and the Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush.
- Is the Grey-cheeked Thrush endangered?
- The Grey-cheeked Thrush is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey-cheeked Thrush for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.