Catharus guttatus
Beauty in forest birds is often gauged by sound and not appearance. Given this criterion, the Hermit Thrush is certainly one of the most beautiful birds to inhabit Rocky Mountains forests. Many features of the Hermit Thrush can be remembered by association with its name: its memorable song always begins with a single, lone (hermit-like) note; and its rump and tail are red, which reminds one of a lonely old hermit wearing nothing but a pair of red long underwear. The scientific name guttatus is Latin for 'spotted' or 'speckled,' in reference to the breast. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: reddish-brown tail and rump; gray-brown head and back; brown wings; black-spotted breast; light undertail coverts; gray flanks; pale eye ring. Size: L 7 in. (18 cm). Range: common migrant and breeder throughout the Rockies. Habitat: spruce-fir forests, avalanche slopes and lodgepole pine forests in the upper montane and the subalpine. Nesting: occasionally on the ground, but usually in a small tree or shrub; cup nest is built with grass, twigs and mud; female incubates 4 eggs for up to 13 days. Feeding: forages on the ground and gleans vegetation for insects and other invertebrates; also eats berries. Voice: call is chuck. Male: song is a warbling, upward spiral, always preceded by a lone, thin note. Similar Species: Swainson's Thrush: golden cheek; olive-brown back and tail. Veery: lightly streaked upper breast. Fox Sparrow: stockier build; conical bill; brown breast spots. |
