My Visitor: Brown Thrasher

The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a bird in the family Mimidae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds. The dispersal of the brown thrasher is abundant throughout the eastern and central United States, southern and central Canada, and is the only thrasher to live primarily east of the Rockies and central Texas. It is the state bird of Georgia.

As a member of the genus Toxostoma, the bird is a large-sized thrasher. It has brown upper parts with a white under part with dark streaks. Because of this, it is often confused with the smaller wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), among other species. The brown thrasher is noted for having over 1000 song types, and the largest song repertoire of birds. However, each note is usually repeated in two or three phrases.

The brown thrasher is an omnivore, with its diet ranging from insects to fruits and nuts. The usual nesting areas are shrubs, small trees, or at times on ground level. Brown thrashers are generally inconspicuous but territorial birds, especially when defending their nests, and will attack species as large as humans

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17 thoughts on “My Visitor: Brown Thrasher”

aussiebirder on September 18, 2017 at 6:53 am said:

Thanks HJ for an interesting introduction to your Brown Thrasher. Is there a reason for the name?

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 10:15 am said:
  
  I can only imagine that it is the way this bird walks around the field thrashing with it’s feet or it’s bill, rapidly clearing leaves, debris etc. looking for invertebrates. Thanks Ashley. 🙂
  
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  - aussiebirder on September 18, 2017 at 6:09 pm said:
    
    Thanks HJ for filling me in😊
Indira on September 18, 2017 at 6:54 am said:

What a pretty bird! Love your shots! 🙂

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 10:17 am said:
  
  They are good looking birds, I like the yellow eyes, so brilliant. Thanks Indira. 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on September 18, 2017 at 9:21 am said:

Always a treat to come upon a thrasher. Your photos are beautiful, HJ, and interesting info. A superb bird to have for your state bird.

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 10:24 am said:
  
  The Thrashers always show up after a rainy day as a rule. Rain saturates the ground and most invertebrates emerge to get air, that means a good protein meal for Mr. Thrasher or other birds. Good looking bird with bright yellow eyes. Thanks Jet. 🙂
  
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tanjabrittonwriter on September 18, 2017 at 3:51 pm said:

They are stunning bird, and such great vocalists. You captured them so well.

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 3:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Tanja. 🙂
  
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HD Wallpapers on September 18, 2017 at 9:13 pm said:

lovely photographs..

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 10:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks HD. 🙂
  
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de Wets Wild on September 18, 2017 at 9:24 pm said:

Most interesting introduction to a bird we are not at all familiar with – thank you!

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- avian101 on September 18, 2017 at 10:10 pm said:
  
  Thank YOU Dries for your visit and comment. 🙂
  
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charhopefitzpittsphotography on September 19, 2017 at 12:53 am said:

I love these birds.. They are adorable!

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- avian101 on September 19, 2017 at 12:02 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much. 🙂
  
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theparakeetperch on May 4, 2018 at 7:07 am said:

I have these guys in my backyard, and I always enjoy seeing them. I didn’t know they were such talented vocalists, thank you for sharing!

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 4, 2018 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much. 🙂
  
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