American Robin look-alikes
Turdus migratorius
Spotted a bird? Identify it instantly with the Birdby app
Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the American Robin. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Key differences
The Varied Thrush has a similar shape and size but features a distinct black breast band, an orange supercilium (eyebrow stripe), and an orange throat. Its back is slate gray, and its wings have two orange wing bars. Its song is a single, ethereal, sustained note, unlike the robin's caroling.
Rufous-backed Robin
Turdus rufopalliatus
Key differences
Found primarily in Mexico and occasionally as a vagrant in the southwestern U.S. It has a rufous (reddish-brown) back and a more uniformly rufous underside, lacking the distinct dark head and gray back of the American Robin. The eye-ring is less prominent.
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Key differences
Smaller than the American Robin. While it also has a reddish breast, its back is bright blue, and its head is blue, not dark gray/black. It lacks the prominent white eye-ring and has a more upright, less ground-foraging posture.
Explore the American Robin
Identify birds anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo & sound identification, full species database, and your personal life list.