General

Bicknell's Thrush: Small thrush with olive-brown upperparts, buff breast with brown spots, and white or buff belly. Eye has indistinct gray ring. Upper mandible is black with pale base and lower mandible is yellow with black tip. Tail and rump have rust-brown wash. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Bicknell's Thrush: This species breeds from southern Quebec and the Maritimes south to northern New England and northern New York. It winters in the West Indies. During migration, these birds may be seen along the Atlantic Coast from Quebec to Florida. Its preferred habitats include alpine areas near tree line.

Breeding and Nesting

Bicknell's Thrush: Three to six green blue to pale blue eggs with faint brown marks are laid in a cup nest made of grass, leaves, bark, mud, and mosses and sometimes lined with a few leaves. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Bicknell's Thrush: Eats insects, spiders, and earthworms; also berries and fruits in fall; forages on the ground and in shrubs.

Vocalization

Bicknell's Thrush: Song is a raspy, nasally whistled series of descending phrases. Call is a two-syllable, down-slurred "vee-ah".

Similar Species

Bicknell's Thrush: Gray-cheeked Thrush is larger, with olive-gray upperparts, olive-brown tail, and gray wash on breast, sides, and flanks.