Common Birds 52 - Hermit Thrush

Friday, December 1

Is a name a good enough reason to love a bird? I wonder as a hermit thrush relaxes enough in my looming presence to pick through the fallen leaves. It’s evening. Hooded mergansers circle on the river’s mirror surface. Sea gulls splash down for the night. I would still love this hermit thrush for its dappled breast and ever so slightly red tail even if it was named differently. Yet, I think the name is enough.

A name like hermit thrush is an act of care for the thrush. To call a thrush a hermit requires dedicated attention, noticing again and again this secretive brown bird. It takes imagination to see ascetics and saints reflected by a nondescript creature. For me far in the future, noticing and calling this bird by this name is a way for me to say I see all of those things too. I’m always a little annoyed when baby clothes have just a generic ‘bird’ on them. It’s a little persnickety of me, but using a bird that doesn’t really exist feels like deep human laziness. A name, a true name, is a way for us to give respect.

And I think hermit thrush is a true name. For they share the insights of the ascetics: our days are a gift and a small, simple life is worthy of song. And no one has lifted up a lovelier song in the early or vesper light than the thrushes.