Note black breast band, orange eyebrow, and orange markings on the wings. The great thrush is similar in length, but less heavily built. The Hermit Thrush was apparently a victim of deforestation during the early years of European settlement. Altho Dark gray back and nape. The smallest thrush may be the Turdidae species spread the seeds of plants, contributing to the dispersal of many species and the recovery of ecosystems. Long minor-key whistles repeated after deliberate pauses, they seem like sounds without a source; only a careful searcher will find the bird itself. The lilting and ethereal voice of this species has won it praise throughout its extensive breeding range. The Wood Thrush is still a fairly common spring migrant. Although they are often thought of as birds of the deep woods (hence the name “hermit”), Hermit Thrushes have proven to be quite broad in their selection of breeding territory.Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. The most common call is a harsh, descending They forage on the forest floor, flipping leaves to uncover insects; they may fly up to catch insects in flight. The common call is a series of sharp The Wood Thrush’s preferred nesting habitat is mature, moist deciduous forest with an understory of shrubs and young trees, although the species can also be found in dry woodland. By the 1920s, Maurice Broun, writing in Forbush's Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States, stated that “in late years,” with reforestation, the Hermit Thrush had become increasingly widespread (Forbush 1929). They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. At the same time, the young replace their body feathers, losing most or all of the tawny olive spots on the back and wing coverts to become virtually indistinguishable from the adults.The fall migration of Wood Thrushes begins in late August and peaks during September, although the number of birds seen on any given day is never large. The species is notably scarce only on Cape Cod, the Islands, and coastal areas in general where appropriate woodlands for breeding are lacking. The underparts are white with brown on the flanks; the breast is lighter brown with darker spots. Apparently, the Wood Thrush can tolerate some human activity and has adapted to nesting in small forest patches and even in shrubby vegetation in suburban areas. Breeds in mature, wet forests in the Pacific Northwest; found in a broader range of wooded habitats with fruiting plants in winter. It can be seen in woodland, parkland and gardens. Also, bits and pieces of paper are frequently incorporated into the structure.Three or four (sometimes five) eggs are laid, and clutch sizes for 17 Massachusetts nests were three eggs (8 nests), four eggs (8 nests), three eggs plus one cowbird egg (1 nest) (CNR, DKW). Occasionally, the nest is built higher up in a mature tree.In Massachusetts, 20 nests were located as follows: deciduous trees, including apple and oak (7 nests); conifers, including Red Cedar, Red Pine, White Pine, and Jack Pine (7 nests); shrubs and bushes, including laurel, viburnum, honeysuckle, and lilac (6 nests) (CNR). Underparts are white, and buff-brown wash on throat. This thrush has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. Learn interesting facts about New England birds in the Thrush family (Turdidae). Northern Wheatear: Small thrush (oenanthe), with gray upperparts, black wings, mask, and tail. Insects are a main food source during the breeding season, while fruit and berries may compose most of the diet during the late summer and fall.They make a cup nest on the ground or near the base of a shrub. Includes photos, sounds, and identification tips for each bird. The song, a series of phrases consisting of four notes followed by a short, high, wispy trill, is most frequently given at dawn and dusk.

Thrushes are small to medium-sized birds with a plump shape and thin bills. Habitats for 12 Massachusetts nests were mixed woodland (8 nests), deciduous woods (1 nest), suburban yard (3 nests) (CNR).