The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a medium-sized songbird found throughout the eastern and central United States. Though they are sometimes called brown thrashers, these birds are actually not closely related to true thrushes. Brown thrashers belong to the family Mimidae, which also includes mockingbirds and catbirds. They get their name from their reddish-brown plumage and tendency to thrash around in leaf litter while foraging for food. This secretive bird is best known for its impressive and melodious song repertoire. So in what states can you find the vocal and elusive brown thrasher?
Range and Habitat
The brown thrasher has a large range across the eastern and central U.S. Their breeding range extends from eastern Nebraska east to Nova Scotia and south to Texas and northern Florida. Though they live primarily east of the Rockies, small disjunct populations can be found in Utah, Nevada, and eastern Colorado.
Within their range, brown thrashers occupy wooded habitats with dense, low vegetation. They are often found along forest edges, hedgerows, overgrown fields, and areas regenerating from disturbance. Ideal habitat contains a mix of trees and shrubs like dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, and sumac. They generally avoid unbroken expanses of forest but may inhabit more open, pine-dominated woodlands. In winter, they frequent similar brushy habitats but also visit suburban yards and hedges.
States
Based on their broad range, brown thrashers live in the following states:
Northeastern States
– Maine
– New Hampshire
– Vermont
– Massachusetts
– Rhode Island
– Connecticut
– New York
– Pennsylvania
– New Jersey
– Maryland
– Delaware
Brown thrashers breed across all of the northeastern United States. They are summer residents in this region, arriving in April and May to establish breeding territories. Some individuals may overwinter in the warmer mid-Atlantic states like Virginia and North Carolina.
Midwestern States
– Wisconsin
– Michigan
– Illinois
– Indiana
– Ohio
– Iowa
– Missouri
– Minnesota
– Nebraska
– Kansas
Brown thrashers occupy the deciduous forests, brushy areas, and forest edges of the Midwest. They breed across this entire region in summer. Midwestern states represent the core of the brown thrasher’s breeding range.
Southeastern States
– Virginia
– West Virginia
– Kentucky
– Tennessee
– North Carolina
– South Carolina
– Georgia
– Florida
– Alabama
– Mississippi
– Arkansas
– Louisiana
– Oklahoma
The southeastern United States marks the southern limit of the core breeding range for brown thrashers. They occur in forested habitats throughout this region in summer. Coastal areas and the Florida peninsula host smaller numbers of breeding birds. The southeast represents important wintering grounds for migratory populations that breed farther north.
South Central States
– Texas
The only south central state occupied by breeding brown thrashers is Texas. They inhabit brushlands, forest edges, and thickets across eastern and central Texas. Their range becomes more restricted in the western portion of the state.
Western Interior States
– North Dakota
– South Dakota
– Montana
– Wyoming
– Colorado
– Utah
– Nevada
Brown thrashers only occur as rare breeders or migrants in these western interior states. Most records are east of the Rocky Mountains in habitats like riparian woodlands and scrublands. The highest densities are found in eastern Colorado and Wyoming.
In summary, the core breeding range of the brown thrasher includes the northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States. They reach their highest densities in the central Midwest. Smaller breeding populations occur in the Great Plains, Texas, and scattered locations west of the Rockies. Every state within the main eastern range hosts breeding brown thrashers in summer.
Population and Conservation Status
The brown thrasher has an extremely large range and population. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 13 million with 98% spending some part of the year in the U.S. They rate the brown thrasher as a Species of Low Concern due to their large numbers. Populations appear stable or even increasing based on Breeding Bird Survey data. The brown thrasher is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. but has no special conservation status.
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting tidbits about the widespread brown thrasher:
– The brown thrasher has one of the largest song repertoires of any North American bird – each male has over 1,000 different song types! Their songs are melodious and varied, with phrases repeated 2-3 times.
– They get their name from their thrashing behavior as they flip through leaf litter searching for food. They will also take dust baths in loose soil.
– While foraging, this species will stand still with its tail cocked upright, similar to a wren. If alarmed, the tail may be aggressively flicked from side to side.
– Brown thrashers are shy and secretive, hiding in dense thickets and woodland edges. But males will sing from exposed perches to advertise their territory.
– Both male and female brown thrashers build the nest together. Nests are sturdy cups of twigs, lined with fine grasses and hidden in dense shrubbery.
– The brown thrasher is the state bird of Georgia. It was selected for its musical abilities and inclination to sing even during the heat of the day.
Conclusion
In summary, the brown thrasher inhabits a wide range of states across the eastern half of the U.S. as a breeding bird. It occurs year-round across much of its range, withdrawing only from the northernmost areas in winter. An adept songster, this medium-sized mimid can be found in dense, brushy habitats throughout the eastern United States. Though secretive, birders can locate brown thrashers by listening for their varied and melodious songs or watching for their upright, wren-like posture. With large numbers and a widespread distribution, the brown thrasher will continue brightening forests and backyards with its vocal talents.
