A relatively secret bird, the Brown thrasher can be uncooperative in offering
up its song or the songs of other birds it often mimics. However, when the male does
let loose, it can display the largest repertoire of any North American bird. . . . .an
amazing 1,200 songs have been documented!
It usually sings from a perch high in the treetops when hoping to claim a mate,
and territory. Personally I've only been privy to that amazing concert once, and
that was several years ago.
At this time of year, this quite large bird at 11.5 inches in length, stays closer to the
ground foraging through leaf litter, thrashing its bill from side to side to expose
spiders and insects - this movement gives it the name 'thrasher'.
Only during winter will it come to feeders, but you can attract it to your garden
with berry-producing plants such as hollies, elderberry, mulberry. . . . . . . . and
of course a water source. A couple of years back a pair nested at eye level in my
large variegated privet shrub, I loved seeing them closeup.
Here, my recent visitor tried out two of my back garden baths, and I was able
to get a few good photos from the window.
Camellia japonica - the Rose of Winter - blooms are profuse this year - I have two
now quite large bushes in the garden, both this color. Neighbors have beautiful
pale pink ones - I should get one of those planted too!
Such beautiful markings on the Brown thrasher's chest and wings, plus the gleaming
yellow eyes. Male and female are similar so not sure which this one is.
If you are within the range of this bird I hope you have them in your garden -
they are fun to watch and perhaps, some day if you're lucky, you'll hear one
serenading non-stop from a treetop.
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