Fall birding means the welcome return of the secretive Hermit Thrush that revels in its own company diligently rummaging through the leaf litter and forest under-story in search of spiders, ants, earthworms, and insects of all varieties. A favorite winter food includes the red berries fallen from our abundant native Toyon bushes and other fruit bearing winter shrubs.

Although favoring the dark, shadowy areas under bushes and trees, listen attentively for its loud, abrupt “TCHUP!” call, revealing its presence only a few feet away! Once there, you’ll behold this ground-foraging small brown bird with a thin dark bill standing out as it nervously flicks its wings and contrasting reddish-brown tail that lifts up-and-down confirming its identification even before revealing its heavily spotted breast. A beady black eye, narrowly ringed in white contributes to a startlingly distinctive appearance.

Enjoy this diligent hermit as it over-winters with us and before the springtime draws it to northern, higher elevations for spring/summer breeding.

Bird gallery

Bird of the month flyer