Description

Hermit Thrushes have two unique behaviors: tail and wing flicking. Tail flicking is the rapid raising and slow lowering of the tail upon landing and often followed by a "tchup" sound. The wing flicking or "twinkling" is a rapidly repeated extending and returning of the wings.

This is the only thrush to winter in North America. All others migrate south for the winter. The song of this bird is hardly heard during winter and never during migration. The males begin singing as early as an hour before sunrise and as late as 30-40 minutes after sunset.

This bird uses a variety of food foraging techniques. It scourages the ground and sometimes catches flying insects. Fruits and berries make up half of the bird's winter diet.