The Hermit Warbler is considered a specialist in living in the canopy of 200 foot tall conifers. In western Washington it populates Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and western red cedars.
By August, most young birds are living on their own. Adult birds have completed their job of raising young as best they could and are now released from parenting obligations. It is time for migrating birds, both young and old, to focus their energy on completing their annual cycle of life and set out on their return migration to the south.