Townsend's solitaire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Townsend's solitaire |
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| Townsend's solitaire by Louis Agassiz Fuertes | |
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Myadestes
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townsendi
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The Townsend's solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) is a medium-sized bird. It's a type of thrush and the only solitaire bird found in North America, north of Mexico. These birds are known for their beautiful songs and their special diet.
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Where They Live
This bird lives in western North America. You can find it from southern Alaska and parts of Canada like British Columbia and Alberta. Its home range stretches all the way south to northern Mexico.
Townsend's solitaires love to live in mountain forests. When winter comes, they might fly to lower places to find food. This can include areas like the Great Plains, parts of Mexico, and even desert oases.
What They Look Like
Townsend's solitaires are about 8 to 9.5 inches (20–24 cm) long. Their wings can spread out to about 14.5 inches (37 cm). They weigh around 1.2 ounces (34 grams).
These birds have a short, dark bill and a white ring around their eyes. Their feathers are mostly gray. They have a light, buffy stripe on their wings. The edges of their flight feathers also have this buffy color. Their tail is long and has white edges. Young solitaires look a bit different, with mottled gray and white feathers.
When they perch, they often sit very straight. They like to sit high up on a branch and can stay still for a long time.
Diet and Habits
Townsend's solitaires mainly eat berries and insects. In winter, their diet is almost entirely made up of the fleshy cones from juniper bushes. This makes them very special among North American birds.
They are very protective of their food. Each bird will claim an area with lots of juniper bushes and defend it strongly from other birds.
Voice
The song of the Townsend's solitaire is loud and melodious. It sounds like a flute, with notes that go up and down. It also has some low, husky sounds mixed in. Their call is a squeaky eeek or a clear, soft whistle that sounds like heeh.
Nesting and Eggs
The nest of a Townsend's solitaire is like a small cup. It's made from fine plant materials. They usually build their nests on the ground or very close to it.
Female solitaires typically lay three or four eggs. The eggs are grayish-white with brown dots or splotches. These spots are usually more concentrated at the larger end of the egg.
Why They Are Called Townsend's Solitaire
This bird is named after a person! It honors an ornithologist named John Kirk Townsend. An ornithologist is a scientist who studies birds.
See also
In Spanish: Solitario norteño para niños
