Gray-cheeked Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush has surged: up 157% on the route-weighted index since 1982.
About the Gray-cheeked Thrush
The Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) is a North American member of the Thrushes (Turdidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.
- Size
- 6–11 in long (15–28 cm) — a medium songbird (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
- Diet
- Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
- Range
- Recorded on 101 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 3 states, most concentrated in the BCR 4.
- Family
- Turdidae · Forest birds
Notable Gray-cheeked Thrush Trends
Gray-cheeked Thrush has surged in surveyed states: up 157% on the route-weighted index since 1982.
Gray-cheeked Thrush Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Gray-cheeked Thrush is projected to rise about 87% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.23 (95% range 0.09–0.36). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±75.5%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.22 | 0.08 | 0.35 |
| 2026 | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.35 |
| 2027 | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.36 |
| 2028 | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.36 |
| 2029 | 0.23 | 0.09 | 0.36 |
Where the Gray-cheeked Thrush Is Detected
BBS routes recording Gray-cheeked Thrush, sized by most recent count.
Gray-cheeked Thrush Population Trend by State
| Alaska | -58% | 1982 | 99 |
| Maine | insufficient data | n/a | 1 |
| New York | insufficient data | n/a | 1 |
Gray-cheeked Thrush Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
| BCR 2 | -5% | 1985 | 22 |
| BCR 3 | +283% | 1997 | 3 |
| BCR 4 | -58% | 1982 | 61 |
| Northern Pacific Rainforest | -82% | 1985 | 13 |
Gray-cheeked Thrush Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 157% since 1982.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.