|
Brown Thrasher |
|
Toxostoma rufum |
| Description: 11 1/2" Rufous-brown above, white below with dark brown streaks, slender curved bill, long tail, yellow eye, grayish face | Habitat: Woodland edges, brushy areas, hedges, roadsides, gardens, thorn thickets. Usually seen on or near ground, although it may also be seen singing from exposed perch. |
| Nesting: 4-5 pale blue-brown-dotted eggs in a large, coarsely-built nest of twigs, leaves and roots, lined with grass, usually near ground in a dense, often thorny bush | Range: breeds from Canada south to gulf coast, Florida, winters in southern part of breeding range |
| Voice: variety of musical phrases each repeated twice, call a sharp smack | Diet:
Insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates; berries, fruit, nuts. |
| Notes: Shy, boldly defends nest and young, often confused with thrushes, largest repertoire of songs of all North American birds |
| When present in Oklahoma: more in summer months, fewer seen during winter months |