Rufous-collared Thrush
Turdus rufitorques
The Rufous-collared Thrush (Turdus rufitorques) is a uncommon thrush found in 4 countries, weighing about 72 g. The rufous-collared thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes and allies.
About the Rufous-collared Thrush
The rufous-collared thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae, the thrushes and allies. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Some taxonomic systems call it the rufous-collared robin.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-collared thrush is 23 to 25.5 cm (9.1 to 10 in) long; three individuals weighed 70 to 74 g (2.5 to 2.6 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a mostly black head with a whitish chin and a throat streaked with black and cinnamon-rufous. They have a wide collar of cinnamon-rufous or chestnut-rufous on the nape and sides of the neck that in front extends to include the breast. Their flanks, belly, and undertail coverts are black. Adult females have a pattern similar to the male's but with lighter and duller colors. Their crown is brownish with darker streaks. Voice: The rufous-collared thrush sings from a prominent high perch. Its song is described as "evenly spaced high-pitched warbling whistles and trills...tre'e'e'e'e-chur'e'e'e'e'e'e-We dirt!-Tea'a'a'a-pretty'dirt'pretty'dirt'irt'irt'irt'irt--We'dirt-tseet!-Tea'Tea'ear'ear'ear'ear'ear". Its call is "chut'chut'chut".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Rufous-collared Thrush 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 Rufous-collared Thrush?
- The rufous-collared thrush is 23 to 25.5 cm (9.1 to 10 in) long; three individuals weighed 70 to 74 g (2.5 to 2.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-collared Thrush?
- The Rufous-collared Thrush is a medium sized bird weighing about 72 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-collared Thrush?
- The Rufous-collared Thrush occurs in 4 countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-collared Thrush?
- The Rufous-collared Thrush is most easily confused with the Grey-backed Thrush, the Eyebrowed Thrush and the Black-throated Thrush.
- Is the Rufous-collared Thrush endangered?
- The Rufous-collared Thrush is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-collared 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.