Common Nesting Birds

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Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum )


Photo © Burline Pullin

Brown Thrasher nest

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Brown Thrasher eggs

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Brown Thrasher, sexes alike

Photo © Debbie McKenzie

Adult

Photo © Martina Nordstrand / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Mark Schulist / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Ryan Schain / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © James Kinderman / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Martina Nordstrand / Macaulay Library

Habitat

Photo © Steve Schuyler / Macaulay Library

Song

© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay Library

Song

© Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Bob McGuire / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Habitats

river

shrub

Substrates

ground

Bush or Shrub

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cup

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

2
6

Nest Height

7 ft
2 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

11-14
days

Brooding Period

11-12
days

Useful Hints

  • The Brown Thrasher nests in dense shrubs, especially those with thorns.
  • An aggressive defender of its nest, the Brown Thrasher is known to strike people and dogs hard enough to draw blood.
  • Occasionally reuses nests built in previous years.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology