Catharus dryas
The Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus dryas) is a stunning yet elusive Neotropical songbird belonging to the Turdidae family, known for its vibrant plumage and ethereal song. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm (6.7-7.5 inches) in length and weighing 30-40 grams, its most striking feature is a brilliant, unspotted yellow throat and upper breast, contrasting sharply with its dark olive-brown back, wings, and tail, and a distinctly grayish head. Its underparts transition to white on the...
Primarily inhabits humid montane evergreen or pine-oak forests, cloud forests, and dense secondary growth, favoring areas with a well-developed understory. Typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 meters.
Feeds primarily on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates gleaned from the forest floor, supplemented with small fruits and berries.
This thrush is notoriously secretive and crepuscular, often active during dawn and dusk, though it can be heard singing throughout the day, especially during the breeding season. It typically forages on the forest floor by gleaning invertebrates from leaf litter, often scratching with its feet to...
The Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush has a restricted distribution primarily within the highlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America. Its breeding range extends from Chiapas in southern Mexico, through Guatemala, El Salvador, and into Honduras. This species is largely resident thro...
Least Concern
- The Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush's song is often compared to that of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens) due to its ethereal, spiraling, and flutelike quality, though its distinct phrasing allows experienced birders to differentiate them. - Despite its striking yellow throat, this bird is inc...