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Bicknell's Thrush

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Bicknell's Thrush by Jim Tietz | Macaulay Library

Thrushes

Bicknell's Thrush

Catharus bicknelli

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Turdidae

HabitatForests
FoodInsects
NestingShrub
BehaviorGround Forager
ConservationRed Watch List

Basic Description

Only recently considered a separate species from the Gray-cheeked Thrush, the Bicknell's Thrush has one of the most restricted breeding and wintering ranges of any North American bird.

image of range map for Bicknell's Thrush

Range map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps

Other Names

Zorzalito de Bicknell (Spanish)
Grive de Bicknell (French)

Cool Facts
- Bicknell's Thrush has an unusual mating system. Both males and females mate with different partners. Each nest has young from different males, and males may have young in several nests. More than one male feeds at most nests.
- Males do not hold strict territories, and several different males may sing from the same area within one hour.
- The oldest recorded Bicknell's Thrush was a male, and over 11 years, 11 months, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Vermont.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Gray-cheeked Thrush Adult/immature is similar to Bicknell's Thrush

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Hermit Thrush Adult is similar to Bicknell's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush Adult (Olive-backed) is similar to Bicknell's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Species in This Family

Thrushes and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae)

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Western Bluebird

Western Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird

Townsend's Solitaire

Townsend's Solitaire

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Bicknell's Thrush

Bicknell's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Browse Species in This Family

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Bicknell's Thrush

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