Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus aurantiirostris
The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus aurantiirostris) is a uncommon thrush found in 11 countries, weighing about 30 g. The orange-billed nightingale-thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes and allies.
About the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
The orange-billed nightingale-thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes and allies. It is found from northern Mexico through Central America into northern South America. In addition it has been documented in Brazil and as a vagrant to the United States.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The orange-billed nightingale-thrush is 15.5 to 17 cm (6.1 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 21 to 32 g (0.74 to 1.1 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies C. a. aurantiirostris are olive-brown with a rufous tinge on their crown, nape, back, rump, wings, and tail. The rufous is strongest on the last three areas. Their face is grayish brown with a thin orange eye-ring. Their throat is whitish that darkens to pale gray on the rest of the underparts. They have a long, strong, orange bill and brownish orange legs and feet. Voice: The orange-billed nightingale thrush usually sings from dense cover. Its song varies among the subspecies. In northern Central America it is "a scratchy warbling series of sharp whistles and buzzes:chit-TSEE!-tah'wert-PEE'tseee-Cheet or TSIP!-Tseee-cheet-tsee'weet". There its calls are "a sharp, high-pitched whistle, tsseeeeeee" and, as a contact call, "a catlike rreeahhhh".
What the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush?
- The orange-billed nightingale-thrush is 15.5 to 17 cm (6.1 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 21 to 32 g (0.74 to 1.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush?
- The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush is a small sized bird weighing about 30 g.
- Where can you see an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush?
- The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush occurs in 11 countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and Panama.
- What does an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush?
- The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush is most easily confused with the Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, the Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush and the Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush.
- Is the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush endangered?
- The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush for real
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