Flute Voice of the Vermont Forest
Overview
The state bird of Vermont is famous for its flute-like song often heard in the forest at dawn and dusk. They earned their name "hermit" because of their secretive shy, elusive nature - when not singing, they are usually foraging or nesting on the dense forest floor, making them difficult to spot.
Conservation
Hermit Thrushes have seen a significant population decline as a result of habitat loss. Their preferred habitat, moist coniferous and mixed forests, are becoming scarcer and fragmented due to development creating openings in the forest. Warmer temperatures are also changing their habitat, which may cause them to eventually leave Vermont in search of boreal forests in Canada.