The Hermit Thrush has one of the most beautiful songs in the bird world — a series of fluted phrases in different keys that echo through twilight forests. It is the only spotted thrush that regularly winters in the continental United States. It has a distinctive habit of slowly raising and lowering its rufous tail when perched.
Best time to see a Hermit Thrush
The best time to see a Hermit Thrush is October–February, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 47,237 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Hermit Thrush? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Hermit Thrush sightings near you
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