P.S. Hermit Thrushes often quiver their wings, sorta' like a kinglet.
They often fly short distances and land with a little run on the ground.
I've never seen a Swainson's Thrush do this. But then, I've hardly ever
seen a Swainson's Thrush at all.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
On Fri, Dec 17, 2021 at 5:08 PM Robert O'Brien <baro@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I've also followed this interesting discussion closely. ID by plumage is
possible, but uncertain.
But....these thrushes have very different behavior. Swainson's Thrushes
here have nested around my place in Carver for the 48 years we've lived
here.
I hear them all the time. I 'never' see them.
Hermit Thrushes (smallish, red-tailed variety) winter here and I see them
all the time. The interesting sighting around a feeder that prompted some
of these posts are a fairly common event for me.They are not going for any
of the 'bird food' I put out, but are looking for insects, perhaps
attracted by all the 'other' birds; or by berries. Burning Bush
(Euonymous alatus) is particularly favored in fall. I would NEVER see a
Swainson's Thrush hopping around anywhere.. They are too shy and retiring.
Now, if you're lucky you might perhaps encounter Swainson's Thrushes
during migration. Perhaps out of their element. They can also be
attracted to berries. I've seen them while heading south attracted to a
variety of berries. But in so doing they are _very_ nervous, don't stay
long, and fly to the nearest cover with any disturbance. Hermit thrushes
are quite happy to be observed.while they eat.
Now, if you see a winter thrush that seems happy to be observed, it's
_very_ unlikely to be a Swainson's, And since it's very unlikely that it's
a Swainson's Thrush at all, that means it would be doubly difficult to
determine if it was not a Hermit. BUT WELL WORTH THE EFFORT IF YOU ARE SO
INCLINED.
I've only had one exception to this rule in 48 years here. We live on the
edge of a Doug. Fir forest. One spring/summer, a Swainson's Thrush seemed
to nest nearby. Our family room windows look out into the woods. And we
often saw this Swainson's Thrush hopping around on the edge of the patio
through the windows. What a treat. But we never saw it when we were out
and about.
One caveat. I've no experience with the non-red tailed Hermit Thrushes.
Perhaps they are furtive same as Swainsons's?
Bob OBrien Carver OR
