Brown Thrasher shows up in Aurora, Ontario

                                                               Photos by Lissa Dwyer

My partner, Pat Cromie's daughter, Lissa Dwyer photographed this Brown Thrasher, in her backyard in Aurora, Ontario, about 40 kilometeres of Toronto, Ontario, this past weekend. 

Brown Thrashers (Toxostoma rufum) are found along the southern Canadian border and throughout the eastern United States, as far south as Texas and Florida.   Easily recognized by their rufous brown colouring above, heavy stripes below, with long tail and yellow or orange eyes.   They can be secretive and solitary.

Although declining in numbers in recent years, in many areas, this foxy-brown bird lurks in eastern thickets where it usually feeds on the ground or in bushes, but may sing from treetops.   They are common in hedgerows, brush, and woodland edges, often close to human habitation.

They sing a long series of of various melodious phrases, each phrase usually given two or three times.

Brown Thrashers migrate to northern breeding grounds from late March through early May, with peak movement  occurring now, in April.

I have seen this Thrasher a few times over the years and find them particularly eye-catching, but sadly have never got a picture of one.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder