brown thrushes and nightingale-thrushes

Catharus thrushes are small, 6¼″ to 8½″ (16.0 to 21.5 cm) in length. They have a somewhat chunky or full-bodied appearance. They often stand upright, sometimes with their bill slightly raised.

The head is round. Many species have an eye ring. The bills are medium-length and pick-like, adapted for digging through leaf litter for insects.

The upperparts are some shade of brown – cinnamon brown, reddish brown, olive brown, or grayish brown. The underparts are whitish, and many species have dark spotting on the breast.

The underside of the wing has a distinctive “white-dark-white” pattern – pale at the leading edge, dark through the middle of the flight feathers, and then pale again towards the trailing edge near the body. This contrast makes the underwing appear banded or striped, and it is very helpful in distinguishing Catharus thrushes from other similar-sized birds in flight.

The legs are long and pale.

Nest hidden. Onthe ground in forested area. Tan/brown bird flew off the nest when I walked by.

Luciearl
5/29/2025

Location: Fairview Twp.

Nest hidden. Onthe ground in forested area. Tan/brown bird flew off the nest when I walked by.