ExploreBird

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

The Brown Thrasher is a lively bird with a beautiful brown coat and bright yellow eyes. They love to sing and can imitate other birds' songs!

Habitat: Wooded areas and gardens

Appearance

The Brown Thrasher has striking reddish-brown upperparts and a very long tail. Its white underside is heavily streaked with dark brown, and it features two distinct white wing bars and piercing yellow eyes. A long, slender, slightly downcurved bill sets it apart.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyMimidaeGenusToxostoma
Brown Thrasher
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Brown Thrasher

Category

Bird

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5

Snaps

11

Interesting facts

A male Brown Thrasher's song can have over 1,000 unique phrases!

Their bright yellow eyes help them spot tiny movements in dense foliage!

These birds are famously aggressive, even chasing cats and humans from their nests!

They possess the largest song repertoire of any North American bird!

Special abilities

Ability

Vocal Mimicry

Brown Thrashers can imitate many different bird calls because of their complex vocal cords, helping them sound impressive.

Ability

Leaf-Sweeping Hunter

Brown Thrashers use their strong, curved bills to sweep aside leaves, helping them uncover hidden insects and snacks.

Ability

Fearless Nest Defender

Brown Thrashers aggressively defend their nests, dive-bombing intruders to protect their precious eggs and chicks.

Measurements & details

Length
23-30 cm
Wingspan
31-34 cm
Weight
0.06-0.08 kg
Lifespan
2-12 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
2-6
Incubation
11-14 days
Migration Distance
1500 km

Diet & Feeding

Brown Thrashers feast on insects, spiders, berries, and seeds, sweeping leaves to find their food.

Primary Foods

  • Insects
  • Spiders
  • Earthworms
  • Berries
  • Small fruits
  • Acorns

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Black Rat Snake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Preys on eggs and nestlings.

eaten by

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Hunts adult birds.

eats

Allegheny Blackberry

Rubus allegheniensis

Consumes its fruits.

eats

Northern June Beetle

Phyllophaga fusca

Forages for its larvae.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5

Brown Thrashers are friendly birds and not dangerous. Just enjoy watching them from a distance!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Brown Thrasher?

23-30 cm

What is Brown Thrasher's wingspan?

31-34 cm

How much does Brown Thrasher weigh?

0.06-0.08 kg

How long does Brown Thrasher live?

2-12 years

How fast can Brown Thrasher move?

45 km/h

What does Brown Thrasher eat?

Brown Thrashers feast on insects, spiders, berries, and seeds, sweeping leaves to find their food.

Where is Brown Thrasher usually found?

Wooded areas and gardens

How does Brown Thrasher hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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