Gray-cheeked Thrush

Gray-cheeked Thrush

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Of all the American spotted thrushes, the Gray-cheeked has the most northern breeding range. Consequently this shy skulker of the underbrush is not well known and is rather infrequently seen.

Description

• Medium-sized thrush.
• Upperparts and tail brownish gray.
• Plain gray face with some light streaks but no eyering.

• Size: 16-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Weight: 26-30 g (0.92-1.06 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Complex song of burry flute-like notes, usually ending on a downslur. Nocturnal flight note a one-or two-note "whe-eer" dropping in pitch.

Conservation Status

Breeding areas are remote. The species is not listed as threatened.

Other Names

Grive à joues grises (French)
Zorzal cara gris (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's thrushes were only recently recognized as separate species. Most of the information published in the last century on "Gray-cheeked Thrush" concerned the Bicknell's Thrush instead of the Gray-cheeked. Although Gray-cheeked Thrush has a much larger range across North America, the Bicknell's Thrush's small range is closer to centers of human population, and therefore is the more accessible species.

Sources used to construct this page:

Lowther, P., C. C. Rimmer, B. Kessel, S. L. Johnson, and W. G. Ellison. 2001. Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus). In The Birds of North America, No. 591 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.