Grey-Cheeked Thrush
Catharus minimus
Also known as: Gray-Cheeked Thrush, Crey-Cheeked Thrush
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
32 g
About This Species
A shy, ground-dwelling thrush of dense forest understory, more often heard than seen as it forages quietly among leaf litter for insects and fallen fruit. Its call is a thin, nasal note, and migration periods in spring and autumn are the best chance of encountering it, since it otherwise stays hidden in cover. Early morning light in shaded woodland gives the best odds of a fleeting glimpse.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Move slowly and stay still rather than pursuing a bird that slips into cover, since repeated pursuit during migration can interrupt the feeding it needs to continue its journey.
- Migratory bird protections apply across much of its range in the Americas, making disturbance or collection of nests and eggs an offence in many jurisdictions.
- A stationary, patient approach from a respectful distance is far more effective than trying to close the gap.
LCAvesPasseriformesTurdidae
Seasonal Activity
271,568 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 32 g
Photo
(c) Paul Reeves, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Paul Reeves
CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.