Hermit Thrush vs Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

How to recognise a hermit thrush?

General appearance

The hermit thrush is a medium-sized sparrow-like bird, measuring about 6-7 inches in length. Its plumage is mainly brown with a reddish-brown tail, distinct mottled spots on the breast, and a creamy underbelly. The throat area is white with dark spots. It has a pale eye ring and relatively long legs. Its pleasant, flute-like song makes it easier to identify during its singing season.

Male vs female

Males and females of the hermit thrush species are similar in appearance, with almost indistinguishable plumage. Both sexes share the same pattern and coloration, making it challenging to differentiate between them in the wild based solely on visual appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile hermit thrushes resemble adults but with some differences. They generally have more pronounced streaking or spotting on their underparts, and their overall plumage may appear less crisp than that of mature birds. These birds gradually take on the adult coloration as they mature. During the transition from juvenile to adult, they can be identified by their less defined spots and slightly fluffier appearance.

Size

5.5 - 7.1 in/0.8 - 1.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Hermit Thrush primarily resides in conifer or mixed woods, spruce woods, dry pine woods, sphagnum bogs, and forest floors. It can be found in mountains and thickly wooded canyons.

Additional range

The bird shows adaptability by occupying secondary habitats like burnt areas with standing dead trees. Throughout migration and winter periods, it can be found in various types of woodland.

Range Map

What do hermit thrushes like to eat?

Natural diet

The hermit thrush primarily feeds on a wide variety of insects and berries. Its insect diet includes beetles, ants, caterpillars, true bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, and earthworms, with an occasional small salamander. In winter, it shifts towards consuming more berries, such as elderberries, pokeberries, serviceberries, grapes, and mistletoe berries.

Bird feeders

The hermit thrush is less commonly seen at bird feeders compared to other birds, as it usually forages on the ground for its natural food sources of insects and berries.

What does a hermit thrush sound like?

The hermit thrush's vocalizations consist of a series of clear, musical phrases, each on a distinct pitch. Its song begins with a piping introductory note followed by a reedy tremolo. Its call note is a low tuck. The dynamics of the calls vary, exhibiting flat, rising, and undulating patterns. The different call types sound reminiscent of a flute, a trill, or a whistle.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Also known as: Olive-Backed Thrush, Russet-Backed Thrush

How to recognise a Swainson's thrush?

General appearance

Swainson's thrush is a medium-sized thrush with a length of about 16-20 cm and a wingspan of 30-33 cm. It is characterized by olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts with a buffy wash on the breast, and distinct dark spots on the throat and chest. The bird features a pale, prominent eye-ring, giving it a spectacled appearance. The legs are pink, and the bill is relatively short and straight.

Male vs female

Males and females of Swainson's thrush appear similar, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Both sexes share the same coloration and markings. The slight size differences are not noticeable without direct comparison.

Juvenile

Juvenile Swainson's thrushes resemble adults but tend to have more rufous tones in their plumage. They may exhibit more pronounced spotting across the breast and a slightly duller appearance overall. The eye-ring remains noticeable in juveniles, aiding in identification.

Size

6.3 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Swainson's thrush primarily breeds in the far north and mountainous coniferous forests with leafy undergrowth. It also breeds in deciduous trees and thickets along streams on the Pacific Coast.

Additional range

During migration, it can be found in many different types of woodlands. In winter, it resides in tropical forests.

Range Map

What do Swainson's thrushes like to eat?

Natural diet

In North America, the Swainson's thrush primarily consumes a wide variety of insects such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, crickets, wasps, flies, moths, and others, along with spiders and other invertebrates. Berries and fruits account for over one-third of its diet during the summer. Its winter diet in the tropics remains not well documented, but the bird is frequently observed in fruiting trees, suggesting fruits may play a significant role.

Bird feeders

The Swainson's thrush is not commonly observed at bird feeders, as it prefers to forage in natural habitats. However, it may occasionally visit gardens where berry bushes are present or if insects are abundant.

What does a Swainson's thrush sound like?

The vocalizations of the Swainson's Thrush include a series of reedy, spiraling notes that inflect upward, creating a melodious, flute-like song. The call's pattern has a characteristic rising, undulating nature, with the chirp, chip, hi, whistle sounds further adding to the bird's rich aural profile. These distinctive sounds make their song immediately appreciable, exhibiting an evocative charm and a serene rhythm.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Hermit Thrush

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Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

General appearance

The hermit thrush is a medium-sized sparrow-like bird, measuring about 6-7 inches in length. Its plumage is mainly brown with a reddish-brown tail, distinct mottled spots on the breast, and a creamy underbelly. The throat area is white with dark spots. It has a pale eye ring and relatively long legs. Its pleasant, flute-like song makes it easier to identify during its singing season.

Male vs female

Males and females of the hermit thrush species are similar in appearance, with almost indistinguishable plumage. Both sexes share the same pattern and coloration, making it challenging to differentiate between them in the wild based solely on visual appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile hermit thrushes resemble adults but with some differences. They generally have more pronounced streaking or spotting on their underparts, and their overall plumage may appear less crisp than that of mature birds. These birds gradually take on the adult coloration as they mature. During the transition from juvenile to adult, they can be identified by their less defined spots and slightly fluffier appearance.

Size

5.5 - 7.1 in/0.8 - 1.3 oz

There's more to learn about Hermit Thrush

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Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Also known as: Olive-Backed Thrush, Russet-Backed Thrush

General appearance

Swainson's thrush is a medium-sized thrush with a length of about 16-20 cm and a wingspan of 30-33 cm. It is characterized by olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts with a buffy wash on the breast, and distinct dark spots on the throat and chest. The bird features a pale, prominent eye-ring, giving it a spectacled appearance. The legs are pink, and the bill is relatively short and straight.

Male vs female

Males and females of Swainson's thrush appear similar, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Both sexes share the same coloration and markings. The slight size differences are not noticeable without direct comparison.

Juvenile

Juvenile Swainson's thrushes resemble adults but tend to have more rufous tones in their plumage. They may exhibit more pronounced spotting across the breast and a slightly duller appearance overall. The eye-ring remains noticeable in juveniles, aiding in identification.

Size

6.3 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.6 oz

There's more to learn about Swainson's Thrush

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How to tell the Hermit Thrush from the Swainson's Thrush

Visual differences

The Hermit Thrush measures 6-7 inches with a reddish-brown tail, creamy underbelly, and distinct dark spots on a white throat. It has a pale eye ring and long legs. The Swainson's Thrush is slightly larger at 6.3-7.5 inches, with olive-brown upperparts and a buffy-washed breast. It features a prominent eye ring, giving it a spectacled appearance, and has pink legs. Both species have similar size, but the Hermit Thrush's reddish-brown tail and the Swainson's Thrush's olive-brown plumage and prominent eye ring are key distinguishing features.

Key differences and behavior

Hermit Thrushes and Swainson's Thrushes differ notably in their behaviors and habitats. Hermit Thrushes engage in "foot quivering" to forage insects from leaf litter and nest mainly in conifer or mixed woods, typically closer to the ground. Their calls can mimic a kitten's meow, and they incorporate salamanders into their diet. Meanwhile, Swainson's Thrushes sing sweet, elusive songs while continuously moving, and are more aggressive in defending breeding territories. They prefer northern coniferous or Pacific coastal forests, nesting higher up. Both species eat insects and berries, though Swainson's Thrushes consume more fruits in the summer and possibly in the tropics during winter. In terms of mating, Hermit Thrushes subtly court, while Swainson's demonstrate territorial aggression. Both species are infrequent visitors to bird feeders, with Swainson's drawn more to berry-laden gardens.