Singing behavior of the Hermit Thrush

Despite the Hermit Thrush's wide distribution and exceptional singing abili ty, its vocal behavior is poorly known. In recorded samples from Arizona an d New England, we show that males have repertoires of 6 to 12 discrete song types. Those types can be presented in highly regular sequences, but the o rder varies among males, perhaps depending on context or motivation. Arizon a and New England songs differed in several frequency and temporal features , such as the duration and frequency of the introductory whistle and the re mainder of the song, suggesting regional differences in Hermit Thrush songs . How these geographic differences in song are influenced by song developme nt and dispersal should be a focus of future research.