Date: 12/26/25 7:30 am From: Michael Welch (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
Folks from the Apalachicola region of the upper Gulf coast will know this behavior as "grunting".
The bird was setting up a vibration through the soil that terrifies earthworms, and sends them racing for the surface thinking a burrowing predator is nearby. Slough fisherman have been using this tool to collect bait for many, many years. Take a look at footage from the Sopchoppy, FL, Worm Gruntin' Festival if you'd like to see how well this simple method works.
