The UNWORLDLY Song of the Hermit Thrush

Recluse, shy, drab bird found lurking in the understories of far northern forests during summer months, the Hermit Thrush may not be the most colorful of birds but it's certainly one of the best singers.

June is the month for hearing this angelic tune. As the name Hermit suggests, these birds prefer to be hidden deep within the forest. Thanks to its not so striking coloration this little thrush can easily blend into its surroundings, making it difficult to locate the culprit with the ethereal voice. Without their ear-catching, mystical song, it's easy to not be aware of their presence. How sweet the honor it is to spot one in a tree singing.

Their song is described as sounding like, Oh holy, holy, ah purity, purity ehh, sweetly, sweetly. Between each phrase is a pause.

In the third phrase, it sounds as if it is singing two notes at once harmonically. This skill is thanks to the paired valve syrinx in the bird's throat. Each side is independently controlled, allowing for two different notes, one from each half of its syrinx, to be produced at once. They can make rising and falling notes simultaneously, giving that lovely unbelievable song many people love to hear each Spring. This talent of creating such incredible sounds is something that is common with other thrushes, like the American Robin,Veery and Swainson's Thrush. These are tough contenders for the Hermit thrush but they do not produce that Spiritual quality of tone like this renowned songster.Probably the most peaceful time to listen to them is at dawn or dusk when they sing more often.

I’d like to end off with a charming little story from the Mohawk Tradition that gives the legendary origins of the heavenly song of the Hermit Thrush. It is one that is meant to teach children the value of honesty.

Sacred Song of the Hermit Thrush: A Mohawk Story (summarized) by Tehanetorens
Long ago, when the Birds had no songs, only Man could sing. When the Good Spirit walked the Earth, he noticed a great silence. He realized the Birds had no songs. He devised a great game and told the Birds that whichever one could fly the highest would receive a very beautiful song. But not all the Birds were honest. In his desire to win the game, the small Hermit Thrush jumped on the back of the great Eagle. The Eagle flew higher than any of the Birds, but when he came back to land, the Good Spirit said the Hermit Thrush had gone the highest since he was on the Eagle's back. Hermit Thrush was awarded a beautiful song, but in his shame of not being honest, he flew into the deep woods. To this day, you may hear the lovely song of the Hermit Thrush, but you may not ever see him.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro / What does a Hermit Thrush song sound like
00:14 Where to find a Hermit Thrush
00:29 Hermit Thrush's name
01:22 Hermit Thrush Song
01:38 Hermit Thrush song explained
02:24 Other birds that sound similar to the Hermit Thrush
03:26 Best time to hear a Hermit Thrush
03:48 The effect of the Hermit Thrush song
04:27 How the Hermit Thrush got its song (Legendary Origins)
05:29 My closing thoughts on the Hermit Thrush song

Syrinx picture by TecumsehFitch @1:54
Changes to original: Dolphin was removed

Photos and videos from other websites:
The individuals' names can be found on their respective photo/video
(licenses below)

If you have a sick or injured bird in your possession I can not help this bird in any way it is strongly advised to contact a local vet or wildlife official before any decisions are made. It is very easy to do more harm than good when handling any wildlife.


#LesleytheBirdNerd #Birds #Birdwatching #BirdSong

[LesleytheBirdNerd]

If you liked the video the best way to support the channel is by SHARING it with other fellow birders.
For anyone interested in official LesleytheBirdNerd merchandise
I appreciate each and every one of your support and I hope you enjoyed the show!

[annierichardson]

Several years ago I was walking through the woods when a hermit thrush flew across the path ahead of me and perched on a branch about 10 feet from me. I stopped, and it stood there and observed me for a couple of minutes. Then it threw back its head and sang, and sang, and sang. I stood rooted to the spot, not even waving away the mosquitoes that swarmed around me, lest I scare the thrush. It sang a grand concert for me for probably 10 minutes before it moved on to a new perch a couple hundred feet away and began singing again. It was an experience I’ll never forget - being so greatly favored by that elegant little bird.

[theLoudinRich]

The first backpacking trip I took my daughter on she became enchanted with the sound of this bird and named them "crystal birds". It took a little longer for us to find its official name, but we still refer to it as the crystal bird

[MHarenArt]

I am always amazed at the LOUD sounds that come out of those tiny creatures! Thanks for sharing Lesley!!

[tracywallis]

I'm in awe of birds. They are a beautiful part of God's creation that we often take for granted. Peaceful and beautiful are they!!🕊❤

[rhodawatkins]

Birds and their beautiful songs add something special to our world. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and videos of these amazing creatures with us, Lesley.

[katnip]

Hearing this dear little bird makes me happy to be alive to hear it! God didn't want us to be lonely and so we have birds and their beautiful songs.

[SoleaGalilei]

This is the state bird of Vermont, where it's heard frequently in the woods. I always stop to listen when I hear its song. It does have a magical, fairy-like quality that is hard to describe.

[oneom]

I'm now 69 and have been living in the northern forest almost for haft of my life. Never have I seen my most cherish song bird before... thank you so much for this gift. 🙏

[dvan]

This bird and it's song is what got me into birding some 4o years ago. I was hiking in the mountains of Colorado when this song caught my ear. After listening for several minutes, mesmerized, I decided that I wouldn't rest until I discovered what bird was singing that beautiful song. Thank you, Hermit Thrush. Thanks, Lesley for bringing that moment back for me.

[wildmick]

I spent a lot of time flyfishing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado when I was younger. In the summer months I would often hear the most beautiful bird song while fishing. It wasn't until many years later when I borrowed a set of cassette tapes on bird songs from my local library that I learned the name of this little musical meistro. To this day, the hermit thrush's song is my favorite song of any North American bird.

[superuserabuser]

My grandfather passed recently. We were very close. He was also a forest dweller and his favourite song bird was the hermit thrush. Its May now and i hope to hear the song again soon.

[victorialeeable]

I heard the hermit thrush for the first time this past April. I had earlier passed a birder who identified the bird for me, and I proceeded on my walk. On the way back, though, I was the only one treated to the most heavenly songs of two courting hermit thrushes calling for and answering each other. Yes, I was in the presence of a great gift from God!

[stephenpeppin]

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Song of Solomon 2:11-14

[mmcleod]

I regret that I have but one like to give to these videos. Keep them coming, Leslie! They bless all of us.

[marylongoria]

Gods wonderful blessings!❤️ Thank you Lesley

[kencoulter]

The songs of the Hermit Thrush together with the White Throated Sparrow are my favourite sounds of the northern Ontario Canada forests. They seem to sing at the same times of day, in the same locations.

I’m fortunate to have a log cabin in the woods north of Sault Ste Marie and spend many hours listening to their haunting melodies.

[tracythomson]

Since God created these beautiful songbirds they are glorifying Him and sing Holy Holy Holy….❤️

[Stars-]

Beautiful! ~ You Helped Me Identity This Bird Singing In The Morning ~ Which I Have Never Seen ~ & Yes It Is June ~

[andymok]

I have seen several Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes this migration. At my parents place I would seen they quite often. At a close creek, I loved to go by in the summer I would hear the Wood Thrush and only ever seen once. I have one image that I really cherish of the Swainson's Thrush. I had a metal bird bath with a bird figure that was part of it. The Thrush landed on the wing and I managed to get a few images. Brings back so many happy memories.