Hermit Thrush Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Hermit Thrushes have a chunky shape similar to an American Robin, but smaller. They stand upright, often with the slender, straight bill slightly raised. Like other thrushes, the head is round and the tail fairly long.

  Relative Size

  Smaller than an American Robin, larger than a Song Sparrow

  between sparrow and robin

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 5.5-7.1 in (14-18 cm)
    • Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (23-37 g)
    • Wingspan: 9.8-11.4 in (25-29 cm)

  © Brian Sullivan / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  The Hermit Thrush is rich brown on the head and back, with a distinctly warm, reddish tail. The underparts are pale with distinct spots on the throat and smudged spots on the breast. With a close look you may see a thin pale eyering (not a bold one).

• Behavior

  Hermit Thrushes hop and scrape in leaf litter while foraging. They perch low to the ground on fallen logs and shrubs, often wandering into open areas such as forest clearings or trails. Sometimes a Hermit Thrush will cock its tail and bob it slowly, while flicking its wings.
• Habitat

  Look for Hermit Thrushes in forest understories, especially around edges or openings.

Regional Differences

There are three main groups of Hermit Thrushes. Birds in the Pacific states tend to be smaller, thinner billed, with dusky brown upper bodies and grayish flanks. In the interior mountain West, they are bigger, thin billed, and grayer overall with larger spots and less rufous in the wings. Eastern birds are medium sized and thick billed. They are richly colored, with a buffy wash on the flanks and under the tail.

Regional Photos

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 04, 2017

© Ted Floyd / Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 24, 2016

© Joseph Blowers / Macaulay LibraryOregon, April 20, 2017