Hermit Thrush at our Feeders in Toronto

This rare-in-winter Hermit Thrush showed up under our feeders on Brookbanks Ravine in Toronto on 27 December 2016.

 

It was tapping its feet rapidly to scare up prey from the ground. Please see video: https://youtu.be/qpMkFd0zJQs

Foot-quivering is the term used to describe the foot movement to scare up prey such as insects and other invertebrates. It energetically tossed back leaves looking for prey items. At times it also tilted its head as if listening for movement in the ground under the leaf litter and top layer of seeds.

 

This is the only Catharus thrush that occurs in winter in southern Ontario. We hope it survives the winter. 27 December 2016.

 
 
Home   2016