play song

Brown Thrashers are mimics, meaning they mimic the calls of other birds.  Play the song above and notice that the song repeats each note 2 times.  You can tell this song from the other mimics Northern Mockingbird and Gray Catbird) because of the 2 notes.  "Mockers"  mimic notes in groups of 3 or more and catbirds mimic single notes at a time. 

• Slender bill with base of lower mandible yellow
• Rufous crown, nape and upperparts
• Gray face
• Yellow eye
• White underparts with heavy black streaking
• White wing bars
• Long rufous tail
• Yellow legs
• Sexes similar

Habitat

Most often found in dense vegetation in hedgerows, old fields, and wood edges where it often forages on the ground

Status

The Brown Thrasher is a permanent resident of the Atlanta area and is the state bird of Georgia.  They are extremely secretive and can sometimes be hard to find in thickets.  Often heard before it is seen.