March 15, 2026
One of my winter residents, a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), striking a pose for me on a post. You can’t see its tail and back color. A warm reddish-brown set against its olive-brown back. Two different colors.
A color placement that allows for comparing it with two other similar Thrushes, Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrush. The Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) has a uniform back, wings, and tail of warm olive-brown, while the Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) has back, wings, and tail of grayish-olive.
This might be the last picture I’ll get of a Hermit Thrush this season, since they begin their migration in late March through early April. I’ll see you next autumn Hermit!
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One response to “Hermit Thrush About to Migrate”
Thrushes really require plenty of thicket for nesting, and insects for feed. With todays lawn/herbicides and lack of sheltering trees, these lovely birds are scarce. Songsters of yore.