Habitat
Dense montane forests of balsam fir and red spruce. In Canada, also regenerating clear-cuts and coastal areas with spruce-fir at low elevations. In winter, in moist broadleaved and mixed pine-broadleaved montane forests and secondary woodlands. From 450 - 2,200 m.
Canada (B), Cuba (NB), Dominican Republic (NB), Haiti (NB), Jamaica (NB), Puerto Rico (NB), USA (B).
Vagrant to Virgin Islands (U.S.).
Eastern Canada and north-eastern USA. Non-breeding mainly Hispaniola, also eastern Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 21,000 - 53,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation by conversion to agriculture are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Song is a high-pitched 'chook-chook wee-o wee-o wee-o-tee-t-ter-ee' descending at end. Call is a harsh, slurred, whistle.
Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) [XC753661]
by Kevin Tolan from Hazen St. 2 WB (near Norwich), Windsor County, Vermont, United States (nocturnal flight call)
Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) [XC244029]
by Nick Pulcinella from Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Catharus minimus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) and Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) following AOU (1998).
Formerly placed in Hylocichla, along with Veery (Catharus fuscescens), Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus), Russet-backed Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) and Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Until recently treated as conspecific with Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus), and vocal, morphological and even biochemical differences very subtle, but seemingly parapatric breeding and probably discrete winter distributions suggest species-level separation just tenable. Nonetheless, intermediates between the two taxa occur, and Newfoundland population of present species approaches Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) in size and coloration.
Similar Species
Grey-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) which is larger and browner above with paler lores, buffier on breast and has yellow (not pink) on lower mandible, Russet-backed Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) which shows distinct eye-ring, Veery (Catharus fuscescens) which is redder above and more finely spotted below, and Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)which shows a rufous tail.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet