dimitrig Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 I saw this bird today in my yard in Altadena, California. It hung out almost all day. I saw it several times. When I first I saw I immediately thought Hermit Thrush. Pink legs. White eyering. They are pretty common here. However, every photo I submit to Merlin for ID says Swainson's Thrush or Swainson's/Hermit. Other than the eyering (whiter in a Hermit's) the biggest differentiator seems to be the tail (redder in a Hermit Thrush). I am still pretty sure this is a Hermit Thrush regardless of what Merlin says, but I'd appreciate learning about the differences from people more experienced than I am. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 Hermit. Way too contrasty for Swainsons. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 7 hours ago, Connor Cochrane said: Hermit. Way too contrasty for Swainsons. For sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 This is one of the many situations in which paying attention to behavior is very useful. Hermits do a distinctive and diagnostic tail lift with some frequency. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimitrig Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 Thank you! When you say "contrasty" do you mean between the tail and the body or... what parts of the bird are "too contrasty?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 3 hours ago, dimitrig said: Thank you! When you say "contrasty" do you mean between the tail and the body yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.