Thrushes (Turdidae)
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus. Insects in summer; berries in fall and winter.
Thrushes (Turdidae)Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus
- Scientific name
- Catharus guttatus
- Length
- 5.5–7.1 in
- Weight
- 0.8–1.3 oz
- Nest
- Cup on or near the ground in coniferous or mixed forest
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–13 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Brown back with a contrasting rusty tail
- Spotted breast and white eye-ring
- Habitually raises and slowly lowers its tail
Voice
Flute-like, ethereal phrases — one of North America's finest songs.
Diet and feeding
Insects in summer; berries in fall and winter.
What do hermit thrushes eat? · Best feeder for hermit thrushes
Hermit Thrushs by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | May–July |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do hermit thrushes eat?
Insects in summer; berries in fall and winter. At feeders: raisins, mealworms, suet nuggets.
How big is a Hermit Thrush?
5.5–7.1 in long and 0.8–1.3 oz.
Do hermit thrushes use birdhouses?
No. Cup on or near the ground in coniferous or mixed forest.
Sources
- Hermit Thrush — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hermit Thrush life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hermit Thrush — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.