graycheeked thrush (Catharus minimus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 6.25? inches

• Olive-brown upperparts

• Gray, indistict eye ring

• Gray cheeks

• Dark spots on breast

• Underparts white with grayish flanks

• Pink legs

• Thin bill with pale base to lower mandible

• Sexes similar

• Often forages on forest floor

• Distinctive song

Similar species:

The gray-cheeked thrush resides in forests where it is more often heard
than seen. It is quite similar to other thrushes. The Bicknell's thrush,
until recently conspecific with the gray-cheeked thrush, is very similar
and may not be separable in the field. It is slightly smaller, has shorter
wings with a shorter primary projection, buffier face and breast, more
noticeable eye ring, and a more extensively pale lower mandible. These
two species can be most easily separated on the breeding grounds as they
have different ranges and songs. The Swainson's thrush is quite similar
but has buffy spectacles and lacks the gray cheeks. Veery is smaller,
browner, lacks gray cheeks and has less spotting on the breast. Hermit
thrush has a rusty rump and tail. The songs and calls of the thrushes
are very helpful in identifying them although gray-cheeked thrush does
not sing much during migration.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-4
Length of Incubation: 13-14? days
Days to Fledge: 11-13
Number of Broods: 2? in south
Diet: Mostly insects; lesser quantities of fruit and worms

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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