Nature Walk: Hermit Thrush

By Kerri Sorrell on April 22, 2013 in Blog


From a distance it may be difficult to distinguish a buff-brown Hermit Thrush from the fallen leaves in an un-raked lawn or a woodland as it searches in the litter for insects. We see them in early spring as they head for nesting areas in northern forests. They are smaller cousins to the American robin, which are also thrushes. Hermit thrushes have reddish tails and spotted breasts.

From a distance it may be difficult to distinguish a buff-brown Hermit Thrush from the fallen leaves in an un-raked lawn or a woodland as it searches in the litter for insects. We see them in early spring as they head for nesting areas in northern forests. They are smaller cousins to the American robin, which are also thrushes. Hermit thrushes have reddish tails and spotted breasts.

As the weather has (slowly) begun to warm up, have you had a chance to get outside and do some birdwatching? Click here for more information on Iowa’s birds!

If you are interested in purchasing a print or requesting information on possible use for any of these photographs, please contact Carl Kurtz at cpkurtz@netins.net.