Brown Thrasher – Toxostoma rufum
This is the first Brown Thrasher to visit our yard in four years. I first noticed it Saturday afternoon on one of our suet feeders. I’ve never seen a Brown Thrasher at a feeder, let alone a suet feeder. Has anyone else ever seen this bird at a bird feeder? What surprised me was the other birds at the feeding station didn’t feel put out by the Thrasher’s presence. Birds included a Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Chipping Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Later in the afternoon, I saw the Thrasher carrying nesting material to the dense thicket at the bottom of our yard, near the edge of the cove. Sunday passed without a sighting and I began to think it left the area. Lo and behold I saw the Thrasher this morning, once again carrying small twigs to the thicket. It’s looking more and more likely that this bird will be nesting in our yard this year.
The following photos were taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon 400mm f/4 L IS lens. Simply click a thumbnail below for a full-sized view. ©2011 John Briggs Photography
Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrasher
Happy birding!
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We don’t have Brown Thrashers, but our Curve-billed Thrashers hit up the peanut feeders (favorite), bird seed feeders, suet feeders and the grape jelly feeders. You’re right, the other birds don’t seem terribly offended. Lovely photos!
These are great shots. I had a brown thrasher in the yard last year but he didn't stay long.
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…lucky you! A Brown Thrasher nesting in your yard. I hope the nest is successful and we get to see babies!
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So cool you have a Brown Thrasher nesting in your yard! Great photos…OHH..thinking out loud…wouldnt it be nice if John captured video of it singing
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Great photos of the Thrasher and it will be good if it nests close-by and you can see it frequently.
Great shots of the Brown Thrasher. It will be neat if it is nesting closeby. Lucky You!
a beauty with yellow eyes.
I can´t remember seen it before. Thanks for sharing!
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Great photos! Hopefully you’ll be able to see the nest
He is beautiful. Great light and composition.
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I enjoyed the post about the Brown Thrasher, and the pictures. I now live in SW Michigan where there seems to be very few of them. Originally, I was from NW Pennsylvania where they were very abundant and were a constant part of my world.
Wonderful if you have a nesting pair to follow…They are beautiful birds. I often see, unusal birds hitting the suet right after their migration when they are putting the lost weight back on and building their stamina to breed and go to nest.
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Wow John, that would be so cool to have a Brown Thrasher nesting on your property! You could watch the entire process of them raising their young.
Gorgeous photos of a truly beautiful bird!
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Superb photos John. Sorta looks a bit like our Thrush.
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Isn't he a cool bird! These are really good photos!
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John, Brown Thrashers visit my suet feeders. It is a hoot to watch them fly straight up and grab a bite.
It is wonderful to know they are nesting and thriving in your area since their numbers have been declining here in GA. I also have a nesting pair.
You captured this stunning bird well!
John, I have often seen Brown Thrashers at my suet feeders. It is wonderful that they are nesting nearby. Their numbers are declining here in GA which is sad because they are our state bird.
You captured this stunning bird very well!
I completely LOVE this bird. Great photos
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I haven't seen a Brown Thrasher since I moved to SW Michigan 20 years ago. I guess they are not as common here as they are in NW Pennsylvania.
Really enjoyed your pictures of them.
We had a brown thrasher in the yard today at the suet feeder…first one Mom and I have seen…thanks to your pictures I was able to tell what we had…they have some really awesome eyes!
may 14,2012
We live in maine
Brown Thrashers are migratory in the northern states but here in my area of NC they stay year round. I am fortunate enough to have a pair in my little scrap of wooded area and I also have a visiting pair from the lot next to mine. They complain loudly if the suet runs out but I have never seen them take sunflower seed from the feeder. However they will eat what I sprinkle on the ground.
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