Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
The Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) is a common thrush found in 3 countries, weighing about 33 g. Townsend's solitaire is a medium-sized thrush, the only solitaire native to America north of Mexico.
About the Townsend's Solitaire
Townsend's solitaire is a medium-sized thrush, the only solitaire native to America north of Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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".
What the Townsend's Solitaire sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Townsend's Solitaire?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Townsend's Solitaire?
- The Townsend's Solitaire is a small sized bird weighing about 33 g.
- Where can you see a Townsend's Solitaire?
- The Townsend's Solitaire occurs in 3 countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- What does a Townsend's Solitaire sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Townsend's Solitaire on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Townsend's Solitaire?
- The Townsend's Solitaire is most easily confused with the Andean Solitaire, the Brown-backed Solitaire and the Black-faced Solitaire.
- Is the Townsend's Solitaire endangered?
- The Townsend's Solitaire is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Townsend's Solitaire for real
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