Coastal Carolina

Turdus migratorius HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 8.5 inches * Black to dark gray head * Broken eye ring * Dull red breast and belly * White undertail coverts * Gray upperparts * Streaked throat * Thin yellow bill * Sexes similar-female somewhat paler * Winter plumage is somewhat paler than Summer plumage * Juveniles have spotted, whiter breasts * Common in residential areas where it often forages on lawns * Often sings very early in morning * Often found in large flocks outside of breeding season Similar species: The American Robin is a common occupant of residential areas during the breeding season. In Fall and Winter, it can be found in large, somewhat nomadic flocks in areas with lots of fruiting trees. The very rare Rufous-backed Robin (southwestern United States) has a rufous, not gray, back. The Varied Thrush has a dark band across its breast and orange wing bars.

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Sialia sialis HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 5.5 inches * Thin bill * Most often seen in open habitats: agricultural areas, wood edges, et al * Southwestern United States birds are paler Adult male: * Bright blue upperparts * Orange-red throat, breast and sides * White belly and undertail coverts Female: * Blue wings and tail-duller than male * Gray crown and back * White eye ring * Brownish throat, breast and sides * White belly and undertail coverts Juvenile: * Blue wings and tail-duller than male * Gray crown and back * White eye ring * Spotted underparts Similar species: The Eastern Bluebird is most likely to be confused with other bluebirds. Male Western Bluebirds have blue throats while male Easterns have orange-red ones. Male Mountain Bluebirds lack any reddish coloration on their underparts. Females are more difficult to separate. Both Western and Mountain Bluebirds have gray throats and gray bellies while the Eastern Bluebird has a brownish throat and white belly.

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Catharus guttatus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 6 inches * Eastern United States have olive-brown upperparts-gray-brown in western birds * White eye ring * Dark spots on breast * Underparts white with brownish to grayish flanks * Pink legs * Thin bill with pale base to lower mandible * Sexes similar * Often forages on forest floor * Distinctive song * Only brown-backed thrush to regularly winter in the United States * Migrates earlier in Spring and later in Fall than similar-looking thrushes Similar species: The Hermit Thrush resides in forests where it is more often heard than seen. It most similar to other thrushes but can be told from them by its rusty rump and tail contrasting with the duller back and wings. Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's Thrushes lack white eye rings and have gray cheeks. Veeries have less spotting on the breast. Swainson's Thrushes have buffy spectacles. Wood Thrushes have larger, and more extensive spotting on the underparts. In the eastern United States, Fox Sparrows are somewhat similar but have conical bills and streaked backs.

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Catharus ustulatus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 6.25 inches * Eastern United States have olive-brown upperparts-browner in western birds * Buffy spectacles * Dark spots on breast * Underparts white with brownish flanks * Pink legs * Thin bill with pale base to lower mandible * Sexes similar * Often forages on forest floor * Distinctive song Similar species: The Bicknell's thrush resides in forests where it is more often heard than seen. It most similar to other thrushes. Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's Thrushes lack buffy spectacles and have gray cheeks. In the East, Veeries have rustier upperparts, less spotting on the breast and lack spectacles. In the West, Veeries and Swainson's Thrushes are quite similar and can be separated by flank color, gray in Veeries and brown in Swainson's. Wood and Hermit Thrushes have rusty areas on their upperparts.

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Hylocichla mustelina HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 7 inches * Rusty crown, nape and upper back * White eye ring and streaked cheeks * White underparts with black spots throughout * Brown upperparts * Pink legs * Sexes similar * Juvenile has pale spots on upperparts * Often forages on forest floor * Distinctive beautiful song Similar species: The Wood Thrush resides in forests in the eastern United States where it is more often heard than seen. It is similar to other thrushes but has larger spots that extend onto the belly and contrast between the rusty head and duller brown back. Brown Thrasher is somewhat similar but has a much longer tail.

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