Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus

Family: (Turdidae) Thrushes

Preferred Habitat: Woodlands and thickets.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common in winter.

Profile by Colleen McDonough: In the understory of forests across North America, the aptly named Hermit Thrush spends much of its time quietly foraging for insects in leaf litter. They are one of the most common thrush species seen in the wintertime across much of the United States. Hermit Thrushes have the typical plump “thrush-y” shape, with a brown back, reddish-tinged tail, and a white breast patterned with dark streaks and spots. To differentiate them from other brown-backed (Catharus) thrush species, such as a Wood Thrush, focus on the contrast in color between the back and tail feathers. Hermit Thrushes make “chup” calls when disturbed and sing a beautiful flutelike song with multiple phrases during the breeding season.

A short-distance migrant, Hermit Thrushes breed across Canada, the northeastern United States, and the Rockies, and winter in the Southeast along the Pacific coast and in Mexico. They migrate earlier in spring and later in fall than the rest of the brown-backed thrushes. Females spend up to 10 days building their nests on or near the ground in conifer forests, using grass and pine needles for the outside and softer materials like willow catkins to line the inside. They lay four blue eggs, which they incubate for twelve days. Once the chicks have hatched, they fledge for another twelve days. A Hermit Thrush’s diet consists of insects, invertebrates, and berries from understory plants. Like other ground-foraging bird species, Hermit Thrushes rely on forests with quality native leaf litter. Fast-growing invasive plants like Chinese privet crowd the understory, preventing native tree species from getting enough sunlight to grow. Privet leaves provide less food and habitat for invertebrates and insects as they are very thin and decompose up to five times faster than leaves from native plant species like oaks. That’s why invasive plant removal efforts in our sanctuaries are crucial in making it easier for our local species like Hermit Thrushes to find food in the wintertime!

Hermit Thrushes are known to winter in woodland habitats throughout Texas and can also be found migrating through the spring and fall seasons in the Houston area. When looking for them, scan the forest floor and understory for any movement, and listen for rustling leaves. If disturbed, they will often fly to a low branch and stare back at you while slowly thumping their tail.

Hermit Thrush

Like other thrushes, the Hermit Thrush prefers to forage for insects in leaf litter and dense brush. It may pick up leaves with its bill and shake grasses to find prey like beetles, ants, and caterpillars, although a considerable portion of their diet is composed of berries in the winter. Hermit Thrushes often venture out into open areas like forest clearings and edges.

While they may come off as a rather plain bird, they sing an ethereal, flute-like song that many people find particularly beautiful. In fact, the notes of a Hermit Thrush’s song form pleasing, harmonious chords that are often found in human music and follow the same mathematical principles as our tonal system. It’s no wonder that poets like Walt Whitman and T.S. Eliot and composers like Amy Beach have drawn inspiration from the Hermit Thrush’s pure yet melancholy song.

All About Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Sounds

Hermit Thrush

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