ExploreBirds

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

Townsend's Solitaire is a beautiful bird that loves to sing sweet songs in the forests. With its gray feathers and bright orange patches, it can be spotted hopping around on the ground or perched on branches.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Townsend's Solitaire is a slender, medium-sized gray bird with a distinctive white eye-ring. It has subtle buffy patches on its wings and white outer tail feathers visible in flight, setting it apart from other drab forest birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTurdidaeGenusMyadestes
Townsend's Solitaire
feathered trait badgeomnivorous trait badgesinging trait badgecamouflaged trait badge
Townsend's Solitaire

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

2

Interesting facts

A Townsend's Solitaire will guard its winter berry bush all by itself!

Even in heavy snow, they find juniper berries hidden under the drifts!

They sing beautiful, flute-like songs that echo through mountain forests!

This bird often uses small stones in its gizzard to grind up tough berries!

Special abilities

Ability

Acrobatic Hunter

Townsend's Solitaire can snatch flying insects mid-air because of its agile flight, helping them catch fast-moving prey.

Ability

Berry Master

Townsend's Solitaire has a special digestive system that helps them thrive on juniper berries, even in winter.

Ability

Melody Weaver

Townsend's Solitaire can sing a complex, flute-like song that helps them communicate and attract mates across their territory.

Ability

Food Defender

Townsend's Solitaire has a strong territorial instinct that helps them fiercely protect winter berry patches from other birds.

Measurements & details

Length
20-24 cm
Wingspan
35-40 cm
Weight
0.025-0.036 kg
Lifespan
3-6 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
800 km

Diet & Feeding

These birds eat insects in summer and switch to a diet of berries, especially juniper, in winter.

Age differences: Young birds are fed mostly insects by their parents to help them grow quickly.

Primary Foods

  • Juniper berries
  • Flies
  • Wasps
  • Beetles
  • Other small fruits

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Townsend's Solitaire?

The easiest way to identify Townsend's Solitaire is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Townsend's Solitaire?

20-24 cm

What is Townsend's Solitaire's wingspan?

35-40 cm

How much does Townsend's Solitaire weigh?

0.025-0.036 kg

How long does Townsend's Solitaire live?

3-6 years

How fast can Townsend's Solitaire move?

45 km/h

What does Townsend's Solitaire eat?

These birds eat insects in summer and switch to a diet of berries, especially juniper, in winter.

Where is Townsend's Solitaire usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

More Birds