South Carolina is home to a diverse range of medium sized brown birds. When most people think of medium sized brown birds, mourning doves often come to mind first. However, there are several other common medium sized brown bird species found in South Carolina. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most prevalent medium sized brown birds spotted in South Carolina and discuss how to identify them.
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is likely the most common medium sized brown bird seen in South Carolina. These birds measure 25–33 cm (9.8–13 in) in length and have a wingspan of 37–45 cm (14.5–18 in). Their overall coloring is light brownish-gray with black spots on the wings. The mourning dove has a distinctive long, tapered tail with white tips.
Mourning doves can be found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats throughout South Carolina, including woodlands, forests, grasslands, farms, suburbs, and parks. They are a year-round resident species and one of the most widespread and abundant birds across the state.
In flight, the mourning dove has pointed wings and quick wingbeats. They fly with a swift direct flight pattern when traveling greater distances. Listen for their soft cooing vocalizations. The male’s song is a soft “cooOOoo-coo-coo-coo”.
Brown Thrasher
The brown thrasher is another medium sized songbird found throughout South Carolina, measuring 23.5–30.5 cm (9.25–12 in) long with a wingspan of 29–33 cm (11.5–13 in). As their name suggests, brown thrashers have rufous-brown coloring above with a prominently streaked underside. Their long tails appear rounded at the tip.
Brown thrashers favor dense tangled shrubs and woodland understories. Look and listen for them rummaging through leaf litter on the ground in search of food. While shy, their loud song carries far and long. It consists of a continuous series of short musical phrases each repeated twice.
Common Grackle
The common grackle is a medium to large sized iridescent blackbird found throughout South Carolina. Males have glossy black plumage with a distinctive purple-blue iridescent sheen on the head and breast. Females are slightly smaller and brown in color. Adults measure 25–31 cm (9.75–12 in) in length with a 38–46 cm (15–18 in) wingspan.
Common grackles frequent open country groves, marshes, parks, fields, and agricultural areas. They may gather in large noisy flocks. Listen for their grating, squeaky calls. In flight, look for their long dagger-like tails and robust bodies with long, broad wings.
Eastern Meadowlark
The eastern meadowlark is a medium sized songbird commonly found in open grasslands across South Carolina. Adults measure 18.5–23 cm (7.25–9 in) in length and have a wingspan of 32–38 cm (12.5–15 in). Their upperparts are streaked brown and black with a bright yellow throat and chest with a distinctive black “V” on the breast.
Eastern meadowlarks can be spotted walking along the ground through fields, meadows, and roadsides probing for food. Listen for the flute-like song of males as they deliver a series of whistles while perched on a fence post or low shrub. In flight, their white outer tail feathers are noticeable.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-large woodpecker species commonly found in woodlots, swamps, and backyards across South Carolina. Adults are 25–31 cm (9.75–12 in) long with a wingspan of 44–48 cm (17–19 in). While their name suggests otherwise, they do not have much red on their belly, but instead a barred black and white back and wings with red extending from the top of their head across the back of their neck.
Listen and look for these birds calling and drilling on tree trunks and branches. Their rolling call sounds like “chur-chur-chur”. In flight, look for their barred black and white patterned wings and white rump patch. Males and females look alike.
Eastern Towhee
The eastern towhee is a large, striking sparrow found in shrublands, thickets, and forest edges across South Carolina. They measure 16.5–21 cm (6.5–8 in) in length with a wingspan of 20–26 cm (8–10 in). Males are black above and rufous orange below with a conspicuous white belly. Females are brownish where the male is black.
Listen for the “drink-your-tea” song of this shy bird as it rummages through dense tangled brush. Also watch for their characteristic backwards hopping on the ground as they scratch to uncover food. In flight, white tail corners are visible on both sexes.
Birds by Size
Here is a table sorting some common medium brown birds found in South Carolina by average total length from smallest to largest:
| Bird Species | Total Length |
|---|---|
| Eastern Meadowlark | 18.5–23 cm |
| Eastern Towhee | 16.5–21 cm |
| Brown Thrasher | 23.5–30.5 cm |
| Mourning Dove | 25–33 cm |
| Common Grackle | 25–31 cm |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 25–31 cm |
Identifying Features
When trying to identify a medium sized brown bird in South Carolina, look for key physical and behavioral features:
Size
Medium sized is generally considered to be about 15-30 cm in length. Visually estimate the bird’s total length and wingspan compared to more familiar birds like robins.
Color Pattern
Note the shade of brown and if the head, back, wings, tail, and belly are distinctly patterned or the same color. Also look for eye lines, wing bars, streaking, or spots.
Beak Shape
The shape and size of the beak can be a helpful identifier. Thick conical beaks are common in seed-eating birds like doves and finches. Long slender curved beaks are seen in nectar-feeding hummingbirds.
Leg and Feet
Pay attention to leg and feet size and color. Larger feet and legs are common in ground-foraging birds like towhees and meadowlarks. Woodpeckers have two toes pointed forward and two backward.
Flight Pattern
The flight style and wing shape in flight can aid identification. Broad rounded wings with an undulating flight often indicate a woodpecker. Pointed narrow wings indicate a more agile flyer like a dove.
Behavior
Note behavior like foraging on the ground versus perched on branches. Listen for distinct songs and calls. Also note if the bird is solitary or in a flock.
Habitat
Consider the habitat the bird is frequenting, whether forest, field, wetland, urban, etc. Certain species prefer specific habitats.
Conclusion
South Carolina hosts a diversity of medium sized brown bird species. Some of the most common include the mourning dove, brown thrasher, common grackle, eastern meadowlark, red-bellied woodpecker, and eastern towhee. Identifying features like size, plumage patterns, beak shape, feet and legs, flight style, behavior, and habitat can help properly identify these birds. Being able to recognize these brown birds takes practice but improves with time spent birdwatching across the state. Appreciating the avian diversity around us ultimately connects us more intimately with the natural world.
