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Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: TURDIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Hermit Thrush Photo

© J.R.Woodward/CLO

The Hermit Thrush is the only member of its genus to spend the winter in North America. It changes its diet from eating nearly entirely insects in summer to one of equal parts insects and fruit in winter.

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Appearance

Thrushes
Thrushes
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized thrush.
  • Brown back, reddish tail.
  • Black spots on chest.
  • Thin white eyering.
  • Cocks tail up and flicks wings frequently; lifts tail up quickly, lowers it slowly.

Immature Description

Like adult.

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Similar Species

  • Browner races of Swainson's Thrush similar, but have buffy eyering and a strong buffy wash to lower cheeks and breast, and tail does not contrast strongly with back.
  • Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's thrushes have only a partial eyering, and the tail does not contrast as sharply with the back. The Bicknell's Thrush may have a chestnut tail, but not as bright rufous.