What is a Hermit Thrush?
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a medium-sized North American thrush. It is a common and widespread summer breeding species across much of North America. Hermit Thrushes migrate to wintering grounds in Mexico and the southern United States. They are shy, elusive birds that inhabit dense understory vegetation. Their most distinctive feature is their beautiful flutelike song.
Why Attract Hermit Thrush?
There are several reasons why you may want to attract Hermit Thrush to your yard or property:
- Enjoy their melodic song – Hermit Thrush have one of the most beautiful bird songs, a flute-like melody.
- See their interesting behavior – They hop along the ground searching for insects and probe with their bill in crevices. Fun to observe!
- Add diversity – Hermit Thrushes help add avian diversity to your yard or natural area.
- Help conservation – Providing habitat aids in conservation for this species as it faces threats like habitat loss.
Whatever your reason, with a few simple tips you can transform your yard into a welcoming oasis for Hermit Thrushes.
Hermit Thrush Habitat
To attract any bird, you first need to understand its habitat requirements. Hermit Thrush breed in coniferous or mixed forests across Canada, Alaska and the northeastern and western United States. They frequent shady understory areas with dense vegetation. Typical habitat includes:
- Coniferous forests – spruce, fir, pine
- Deciduous or mixed forests
- Shrubby understory growth
- Dense ground cover of ferns or moss
- Woodland edges and openings
During migration and winter, Hermit Thrush use a variety of wooded habitats including pine forests, oak woodlands, parks, and backyards with suitable cover. Providing the right habitat is key to attracting these birds.
Food and Feeders
Hermit Thrush forage on the forest floor searching for insects, spiders and small fruits. Some key foods include:
- Insects – beetles, ants, caterpillars, flies, wasps
- Spiders
- Berries – blueberries, raspberries, dogwood, juniper, hackberry
- Fruits – raisins, currants, apple bits
While not very attracted to bird feeders, you can offer treats like raisins, currants and chopped fruit in a ground feeder or platform feeder. Suet formulations with fruit bits will also attract them. They tend to forage in the leaf litter, so sprinkle these foods on the ground in wooded areas. Offer live mealworms in ground trays as well. Providing natural food sources like berry-producing native plants is also a great strategy.
Landscaping for Hermit Thrush
An excellent way to provide quality habitat for Hermit Thrushes is to landscape your yard with native plants they rely on. Here are some key native plants to consider:
Trees:
- Evergreens – spruce, fir, pine, juniper, redcedar
- Oaks – white, red, black
- Maples
- Dogwood
- Serviceberry
- Crabapple
Shrubs:
- Blueberry
- Viburnum
- Elderberry
- Rhododendron
- Azalea
Vines:
- Virginia creeper
- Grape
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Virgin’s bower
These native plants provide excellent cover, nesting spots and food sources like berries and insects. Allow leaf litter to accumulate, and avoid excessive tidying of understory growth. Natural wooded settings with a brushy understory are ideal.
Nesting Habitat
Hermit Thrushes build small, cup-shaped nests on the ground or low in bushes, saplings or trees. Breeding pairs require suitable spots to nest safely. Some tips:
- Allow dead leaves and vegetation to accumulate, which provides nest concealment.
- Retain shrubs, young trees and vine tangles, which provide nest sites.
- Avoid removing all undergrowth in wooded areas.
- Leave dead trees standing, which are used for nesting.
Provide dense understory cover about 1 to 10 feet above ground. Nest sites are often located near openings in the forest, such as trails or streams.
Water
While not totally essential, having a water source available can further attract Hermit Thrushes during dry periods. Some options:
- Birdbath – Place on the ground or edge of a wooded area. Include some wet mud for bathing.
- Water garden/pond – Create a naturalistic pond or water garden edged with aquatic plants.
- Container pond – Use a small preformed plastic pond or half barrel container.
Change water frequently to prevent disease. Adding a mister or dripper keeps water fresh longer.
Shelter
Hermit Thrushes flit through dense underbrush searching for food while staying hidden. Having adequate places for them to shelter and take refuge is key.
- Allow shrubs and brambles to grow densely.
- Leave brush piles from yard cleanup in out of the way corners.
- Retain stands of evergreen trees like spruce and pine.
- Do not overly clean up leaf litter or dead vegetation on forest floor.
Log or brush piles can provide additional refuge and foraging sites.
Discourage Predators
Hermit Thrushes face predation from birds of prey like Cooper’s hawks and Sharp-shinned hawks, as well as animals like cats, raccoons and snakes. Here are some tips to help protect them:
- Keep pet cats indoors – this protects many birds as well as the cats.
- Use predator guards to discourage raccoons from climbing trees and raiding nests.
- Install owl nest boxes which helps keep hawk populations in check naturally.
- Use wire mesh to prevent snake access into nest boxes.
- Trim vegetation around feeders to improve visibility.
Avoid using pesticides and rodenticides which can impact birds as well as accumulate in the food chain.
Favorite Foods
While Hermit Thrushes forage mainly on the forest floor, you can supplement their diet with some of these favorite foods:
Mealworms – Live mealworms are extremely enticing for most backyard birds. Serve them in shallow trays or dishes placed on the ground.
Currants – Dried currants are easy to find and loved by Hermit Thrushes. Drop them directly on the ground.
Raisins and Berries – Chopped raisins, blueberries or even grapes are readily eaten. Scatter in feeding areas.
Suet – Offer suet formulated with berries, fruit and nuts. Place suet feeders on or near the ground.
Chopped Fruit – Finely chopped apples, cranberries, mangoes and other fruits make tasty treats. Distribute in wooded areas.
Insect Larvae – Consider offering live waxworms, mealworms or other insect larvae which mimic their natural prey.
Best Feeders for Hermit Thrush
While Hermit Thrushes don’t really visit bird feeders, you can try specialized feeders to potentially attract them:
Platform Feeders – Place platform feeders filled with chopped fruit or mealworms on the ground or low stumps. Avoid mixes with lots of seed.
Hopper Feeders – Use hopper feeders to offer suet nuggets, fruit blends or live mealworms. Place at ground level or just above.
Tray Feeders – Shallow trays or platforms with low sides can hold various foods like currants, raisins, mealworms and chopped fruits.
Ground Feeders – Simple pen-style ground feeders can protect loose foods from other wildlife. Dispense fruit, berries and live insects inside.
Suet Feeders – Offer suet in cages low to the ground or in specialized suet holders designed for ground mounting.
Shop for feeders labeled specifically for ground feeding birds to find appropriate styles. Be creative and see which options Hermit Thrushes will use in your area.
When to Attract Hermit Thrushes
The best times of year to spot Hermit Thrushes will vary by region:
- Breeding Range – Mid-April to late August. Target late spring through mid summer.
- Migration – Late March through May and September through November. Spring/fall.
- Winter Range – Late November to mid March. Target December to February.
Make habitat improvements prior to these peak seasons to maximize sightings. Plan seasonal landscaping and food sources for year-round benefits.
Conclusion
With their ethereal flute-like song and shy nature, the Hermit Thrush is a treasured songbird to attract. By understanding their habitat and food preferences, you can create a welcoming oasis with a diversity of native plantings, natural shelter and floor-level feeding stations. Focus on providing dense understory cover and leaving plenty of leaf litter and woody debris. Be patient, as these secretive birds take time to discover new food sources. But the reward will be the melodious song and charming antics of these woodland beauties. Do your part by providing habitat, and the Hermit Thrushes are sure to find your yard to their liking.
