Catharus

Catharus is a genus of small, mostly omnivorous songbirds, family Turdidae, known as nightingale-thrushes, currently comprising 14 recognized species, though species diversity in the genus may still be underestimated; extant species are widely distributed across the Americas and descend from a common ancestor that lived four to six million years ago. Most species are shy of humans and seldom leave the cover of dense forest vegetation, with migratory habits varying by species, some as long-distance migrants breeding in North America and wintering in Central or South America. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek for pure or clean, a reference to the plumage of the orange-billed nightingale-thrush, and members are renowned for musical, ethereal-sounding songs.