Date: 12/26/25 3:57 am From: Norman Budnitz (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
Here are two references from the Hermit Thrush account in "Birds of the
World." Seems like Hermits use foot quivering for both agonistic (conflict)
behavior and for foraging.
Foot-Quivering. Interpreted by Dilger (1956a}biblio}bib033}) and also Brown
et al. (2000) as a ritualized ambivalent intention movement of
simultaneous, conflicting drives to attack and to retreat; but also may
serve as foraging technique used to locate insects under leaf litter.
Brackbill (1960) and Kilham (1977) cite observations of foot-quivering
while foraging, with no indication of the birds being disturbed and Skutch
(1960) reported a similar observation of Russet Nightingale-Thrush in the
non-breeding season and outside of its breeding range.
On Thu, Dec 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
> Nate and All,
>
> The behavior you witnessed the Hermit Thrush performing is referred to as
> “foot quivering.” I have witnessed an individual doing this in late winter
> at Weymouth Woods on two occasions. It used each foot alternately.
>
> I assumed the bird was attempting to drive insect prey from the litter on
> the trail. It did bend to grab food items, but I could not tell what
> exactly it was eating.
>
> There is at least one reference to this in the species’ BNA account.
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Nate Dias <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 24, 2025 6:19:54 PM
> *To:* CarolinaBirds <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
>
> This morning I looked out the window at Rancho Dias and saw a Hermit
> Thrush standing on the ground right outside, under a Dogwood tree. Its
> right foot (nearest me) was a blur as it tapped the ground in a flurry of
> motions. Then it stepped forward and its left foot blurred in rapid little
> foot stomps.
>
> It was different than a Piping Plover's foot patter - the thrush seemed
> significantly faster.
>
> It moved off down the path and my mother and I moved to the kitchen to
> watch it out of that window at a range of 4-5 feet.
>
> Later this afternoon I was home in Red Top and my mother called to say she
> had just watched the Hermit Thrush pull a long earthworm out of the ground
> (like a Robin she said). Later she texted to say she had watched the
> thrush drinking and bathing in her birdbath.
>
> The moral of the story is ALWAYS keep your birdbath clean and disinfected
> because you never know what marvelous guest will appear and want to use it.
>
> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
>
> --
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/ >
> https://www.youtube.com/@NathanDiasNatureVideos >
> "These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands
> more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
> shot." -- Bror Blixen
>
>
