Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

Breeds from Alaska and across boreal Can… Moist mixed and coniferous forests, shad… common Primary Fluted Song

Learn to identify the Hermit Thrush by ear. Master the "ethereal flute" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Oh, holy holy, ah, purity purity, sweetly sweetly”

What the Hermit Thrush sounds like

A shy, medium-sized thrush famous for its exquisitely fluted, ethereal song. Warm olive-brown upperparts contrast with a richer reddish-brown tail that is frequently flicked upward. Pale face with a thin, crisp white eyering and a whitish breast heavily marked with dark, smudged spots.

“ethereal flute”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Serene, multi-phrased series of clear, flute-like notes; each phrase begins low, rises quickly, and fades into an airy trill. Often written as “Oh, holy holy, ah, purity purity, sweetly sweetly”.

Don't confuse with:The Swainson's Thrush — buffy, not white, eyering that extends into lores

Lessons featuring the Hermit Thrush

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Hermit Thrush's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Where you'll hear it

Moist mixed and coniferous forests, shady ravines, willow thickets, wooded riparian corridors, and mature suburban parks that feature dense understory and abundant leaf litter.

Strongly migratory. Returns to breeding territories from mid-April to late May; southbound migration August–October. Over-wintering birds defend quiet, well-vegetated territories.

Similar species

Swainson's Thrush

Buffy, not white, eyering that extends into lores

Gray-cheeked Thrush

No eyering; face looks plain and gray

Veery

Overall warm rufous, including back and tail (no contrast)

Hermit Thrush song FAQ

What does a Hermit Thrush sound like?

Serene, multi-phrased series of clear, flute-like notes; each phrase begins low, rises quickly, and fades into an airy trill. Listen for the "ethereal flute" phrase.

How do I tell a Hermit Thrush from a Swainson's Thrush by sound?

Swainson's Thrush: Buffy, not white, eyering that extends into lores; Olive-brown tail same tone as back; Song is an upward-spiraling, watery whistle.

When is the best time to hear a Hermit Thrush?

Strongly migratory. Returns to breeding territories from mid-April to late May; southbound migration August–October. Over-wintering birds defend quiet, well-vegetated territories.