Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus
STANFORD LOCATIONS:

Uncommon migrant and winter resident, foraging on fruits and invertebrates in areas providing dense low vegetation.
 
Nest
Location
Nest
Type
Eggs
Mating System
Dev.
Parental Care
Primary &
2ndary Diet
Foraging
Strategy
F
I: 12-13 DAYS
ALTRICIAL
TREE
0 - 8 feet
F
4
(3-6)
MONOG
F: 12 DAYS
MF
FRUIT
FOLIAGE GLEAN
HOVER & GLEAN

BREEDING: Conif, mixed, or decid forest and forest edge. 2 broods, 3? in s.
DISPLAYS: Agonistic; wing flicking, crest raising, also sleeked erect posture with bill pointed upward.
NEST: On ground (usu in e) or low in decid or conif tree (w); of weeds, rotted wood, twigs, grass, moss, occ middle layer of mud, lining of fine materials.
EGGS: Greenish-blue, usu unmarked, rarely flecked with black. 0.8" (22 mm).
DIET: Includes spiders, earthworms, also small salamanders; much fruit, esp in winter. Young fed insects, perhaps some fruit.
CONSERVATION: Winters s to Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Rare cowbird host.
NOTES: Tends to select nest sites where conditions are relatively moist. Habitually flips (or "twinkles") wings. Has been observed anting.
ESSAYS: Anting; Bathing and Dusting; Nest Lining.
REFERENCES: Dilger, 1956a, b; Martin and Roper, 1988; Noon, 1981.

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Except for Stanford Locations, the material in this species treatment is taken, with permission, from The Birder's Handbook (Paul Ehrlich, David Dobkin, & Darryl Wheye, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1988).