Long Island, NY Thrush/Sparrow ID please (1 Viewer)

[Twilight]

Hi! I am new here and someone from the newbie intro forum suggested that I post this here. I saw this new bird feeding from the bits that were dropping from my suet feeder. He was stocky with a white eye ring. His tail was reddish and he flitted it often. His beak looked more thrush-ish than sparrow-ish to me. His breast was white with brown spots/streaks. At first I thought he was a Fox Sparrow but the beak just seems too slender. Any ideas? Someone over at the newbie forum thought he may be a Swainson's Thrush. That brings him pretty out of his area, no? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Joy

 

[steveo]

White eye ring reddish tail it feels like a Hermit Thrush

 

[KC Foggin]

Yeah, that's what I thought too on her original post in the hello thread. So Joy, is this a new bird for you? If so, congrats.

 

[Twilight]

Hermit Thrush

If it is a Hermit Thrush, that is very cool. Yes, it is a new bird for my feeder. I did some research and some were seen on Eastern Long Island, further east of me, on January 7th, so that is very interesting. They seen to mostly winter further south of us but our weather has been very warm until now. I'm glad that I could help keep him warm with some suet! Thanks for everyones help!

Joy

 

[KC Foggin]

Hermit Thrushes would not be out of range for your area Joy. I had them in Staten Island when I lived there.

 

[flipper]

Although i am only a humble british youngster, the white eye ring and reddish tail make it sound like a pretty certain hermit thrush to me.
Robbie

 

[KC Foggin]

LOL. Flipper! I love your signature3

 

[flipper]

LOL. Flipper! I love your signature3

i wish i could say i came up with it myself but unfortunately no, it is a Harold Wilson quote, who incidently was meant to have been a birder...
Robbie

 

[Terry O'Nolley]

It's a Hermit Thrush - a common winter thrush on the east coast.

 

[AlexC]

They're nice birds, aren't they? I've had 'em as far north as Kingston, NY in the winter.

 

[Joym624]

Hermit Thrush

They're nice birds, aren't they? I've had 'em as far north as Kingston, NY in the winter.

He's stayed at our feeder since the day we first saw him and he's now known as "Hermie". He really is a nice bird and I enjoy seeing him every day. As far north as Kingston, NY in winter. wow!