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Vermont State Bird
Hermit Thrush
- Official Vermont State Bird: Hermit Thrush
- Family: Turdidiae, Thrushes
- Scientific Name: Catharus guttatus
- Length: Male: 6.75" (17 cm)
- Diet: Insects, spiders, earthworms, small salamanders; much
fruit, especially in winter. Young fed insects, perhaps some fruit.
- Voice:
Song ethereal, fluting, without clear rising or
falling trend; begins with a long whistle followed by two or three
higher twirling phrases fading at end; successive songs differ.
Taiga/Eastern and Interior West birds sing liquid pure tones
seeeeee freediila fridla-fridla. Pacific song a little higher,
harsher, more mechanical-sounding zreeeeew cheedila chli-chli-chli;
introductory note often down slurred and buzzy. Call a low, soft,
dry chup reminiscent of muffled blackbird call; slightly higher
and sharper by Pacific and Interior West birds; also a whining, rising
zhweeee. Fligh call a clear, plaintive whistle peew
without husky or buzzy quality of other thrushes.
- Habitat: Conifer or mixed woods, forest floor; in
winter: woods, thickets, parks.
- Displays: Agonostic: wing flicking, crest raising, also
sleeked erect posture with bill pointed upward.
- Number of broods: 2
- Nest: On ground (usually in east) or low in
deciduous or coniferous tree (west); of weeds, rotted wood, twigs,
grass, moss, occasionally middle layer of mud, lining of fine
materials.
- Eggs: Averages 3-6 greenish-blue eggs, usually
unmarked, rarely flecked with black. 0.8" (22 mm).
- Incubation period: 12-13 days
- Fledge: 12 days after hatching
- Longevity Record: 9 Years and 4 months (according to USGS
Bird Banding Lab)
No. 1 of the Acts of 1941 established the Hermit Thrush as the official Vermont State Bird, effective June 1, 1941. Attaining this status was not, however, an easy flight for the Hermit Thrush. Among other things, it was not considered a
true Vermonter because, unlike the blue jay or crow (which were favored by some legislators), the Hermit Thrush leaves Vermont during the winter in its southward migration. The record is not clear, but this bird was selected to
represent Vermont, among other things, because it has a distinctive sweet call, and because it is found in all of Vermont's 14 counties. The bird's usual habitat is the ground and low branches of shrubs and trees in woodland areas.
Source: Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, Vermont State Bird p. 12.
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