Brown Thrasher
Common Name:Brown Thrasher
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Mimidae
Genus:Toxostoma
Species:Toxostoma
rufum
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P hoto:
Ivan Andrijevic |
TAXONOMY
Brown Thrashers are
passerines in the family Mimidae which groups them
together with Mockingbirds. This species of Thrasher is
the only one east of the Rocky Mountains and central
Texas. Brown Thrashers are monochromatic which means
that males and females look similar. They have a rufous
crown, nape, uppertail and tail. They have heavy black
streaks on white chest and belly and a grayish-brown
face. Brown Thrashers are about 11.5 inches (29cm) in
size.
HABITAT/DIET
The breeding range of Brown
Thrashers extends from southern Canada to east-central
Texas, the Gulf Coast and southern Florida. It extends
west from the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky Mountains.
They winter in central Texas. Brown Thrashers prefer
woodland areas, brushy areas, hedges and roadsides. They
are most often seen on or near the ground. Brown Thrasher's diets
consist of insects, mostly beetles, fruits and nuts.
They are ground gleaners which means they pick up items
off the surface of soil, sand, turf. They use their
long, strong bill to dig away at debris for food.

Photo: M. Noonan
BEHAVIOR
Brown Thrashers have
one of
the largest song repertoires documented in North America
with more than 1,000 songs. They can also copy the songs
of other species. During courtship displays, a male song
will elicit the female response of picking up a twig and
hopping to the male. She will then flutter wings
vigorously and chirp while the male may pick up dead
leaves and bring it to the female. Brown Thrashers have a
monogamous mating system and usually have 2 broods per
year. Both males and females will help with nest
construction. Usually nests are located on the ground
but can also be in vines or small trees. The female lays
4-5 pale bluish-white eggs and both sexes will incubate
the eggs for the 11-14 day period. Hatching is
asynchronous in the earlier clutches. The young are
altricial when born which means they are blind, helpless
and immobile. Both parents will care for young until
they are ready to fledge which occurs about 9-13 days
after hatching. Brown Thrashers are a common victim of
brood parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird. They are
the largest host of Cowbirds in North America.