ExploreBirds

Bicknell's Thrush

Catharus bicknelli

Bicknell's Thrush is a small, shy bird that loves to sing in the mountains. It has a beautiful, soft brown color and is often found hiding in the bushes.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Bicknell's Thrush is a small, secretive songbird with olive-brown upperparts and a grayish-brown head, which subtly blends into a paler throat. It has a distinctive pale eye-ring and grayish flanks, setting it apart from similar thrushes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTurdidaeGenusCatharus
Bicknell's Thrush
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Bicknell's Thrush

Category

Birds

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

It often builds its nest deep inside dense conifer branches, making it super hard to find!

Male thrushes sometimes help raise two families with different females in one summer!

Scientists use tiny backpacks to track their amazing long-distance flights.

This bird's favorite winter vacation spot is the misty cloud forests of Hispaniola.

Special abilities

Ability

Mountain Master

Bicknell's Thrush can thrive in high-altitude, cold spruce-fir forests because of its specialized adaptations.

Ability

Secretive Songster

Bicknell's Thrush has a complex, flute-like song that helps it communicate through dense forest at dawn and dusk.

Ability

Island Hopper

Bicknell's Thrush can migrate thousands of kilometers across open ocean to specific Caribbean islands.

Ability

Mist Dweller

Bicknell's Thrush has adapted to live year-round in misty cloud forests, both breeding and wintering.

Measurements & details

Length
16-18 cm
Wingspan
28-30 cm
Weight
0.025-0.03 kg
Lifespan
3-7 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
3500 km

Diet & Feeding

This small bird enjoys a mix of tasty insects, spiders, and juicy berries depending on the season!

Age differences: Yes, adults eat more insects during breeding for protein and more fruits for energy during migration and winter.

Primary Foods

  • Beetles
  • Ants
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Wild berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Quick hawks sometimes hunt it in its dense forest home.

eaten by

Deer Mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus

Small mice can raid nests for precious eggs or tiny chicks.

eats

American Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Feeds on sweet berries from this plant in fall for energy.

shelters

Red Spruce

Picea rubens

Builds its hidden nest deep within spruce tree branches for safety.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Bicknell's Thrush?

The easiest way to identify Bicknell's Thrush is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Bicknell's Thrush?

16-18 cm

What is Bicknell's Thrush's wingspan?

28-30 cm

How much does Bicknell's Thrush weigh?

0.025-0.03 kg

How long does Bicknell's Thrush live?

3-7 years

How fast can Bicknell's Thrush move?

40 km/h

What does Bicknell's Thrush eat?

This small bird enjoys a mix of tasty insects, spiders, and juicy berries depending on the season!

Where is Bicknell's Thrush usually found?

Mountain regions

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