Bird Guide

Hermit Thrush vs Veery

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

Small30 gForest

This species measures 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) in length, spans 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) across the wings and weighs 18 to 37 g (0.63 to 1.31 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 7.8 to 11.1 cm (3.1 to 4.4 in), the bill is 1.6 to 1.9 cm (0.63 to 0.75 in) and the tarsus is 2.7 to 3.3 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in). It is more compact and stockier than other North American Catharus thrushes, with relatively longer wings. The hermit thrush has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. Adults are mainly brown on the upperparts, with reddish tails. Voice: The hermit thrush's song has been described as "the finest sound in nature" and is ethereal and flute-like, consisting of a beginning note, then several descending musical phrases in a minor key, repeated at different pitches. It often sings from a high open location.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Hermit Thrush
Recorded by steve · Call · Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

Small32 gForest

This species measures 16–19.5 cm (6.3–7.7 in) in length. Its mass is 26–39 g (0.92–1.38 oz), exceptionally up to 54 g (1.9 oz). The wingspan averages 28.5 cm (11.2 in). Each wing measures 8.9–10.4 cm (3.5–4.1 in), the bill measures 1.2–1.9 cm (0.47–0.75 in) and the tarsus is 2.7–3.25 cm (1.06–1.28 in). The veery shows the characteristic under-wing stripe of Catharus thrushes. Adults are mainly light brown on the upperparts. The underparts are white; the breast is light tawny with faint brownish spots. Veeries have pink legs and a poorly defined eye ring.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Veery
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · North Shore, Madeline Island, Ashland, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: GERMAN LEONEL SARMIENTO CRUZ · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Hermit Thrush and Veery.