Gray-cheeked Thrush

Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) is in the Thrushes family (Turdidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,258 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Gray-cheeked Thrush: observations by month (U.S.)

About Gray-cheeked Thrush

The Grey-cheeked thrush (Catharus minimus) is a medium-sized thrush. This species is 15–17 cm in length, and has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. It is a member of a close-knit group of migrant species together with the veery and Bicknell's thrush; it forms a cryptic species pair with the latter. The grey-cheeked thrush is all but indistinguishable from Bicknell's thrush except by its slightly larger size and different song. The two were formerly considered...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Gray-cheeked Thrush by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Thrushes)

American RobinTurdus migratorius

Eastern BluebirdSialia sialis

Western BluebirdSialia mexicana

Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus

Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatus

Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoides

Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina

Varied ThrushIxoreus naevius

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ