Brown Thrasher

Status Uncommon vagrant, rare in winter. It was first recorded in 1943, when Harold F. Tufts reported one in full song in his garden at Port Mouton, Queens County. Since then it has been seen with increasing frequency, as regularly in spring and fall as many of our breeding species. First spring migrants come in late April or early May (average l May, earliest 10 April, apart from one on Sable Island on 2 April 1971). Counts of 5-15 birds daily have been made on Brier and Seal islands during May, but there are records from throughout the province. Some continue to appear until June and take up brief residence but do not stay (average of last sightings 1 June, latest on Sable Island on 25-29 June 1971). Two at Sable River, Shelburne County, between 11 and 26 July 1980 suggest possible nesting in the region, as fall migrants are not generally first seen until September (average 18 September, earliest 24 August). Peak estimates of five or more daily have been made from mid-September to mid-October on Seal Island and Cape Sable; on Seal Island there were about 35 birds on 24-26 September 1966 and 50 on 1-3 October 1967. Although latest migrants are generally seen in October, stragglers are regular through November and have occurred almost annually on Christmas Bird Counts throughout the province. One was still present at Timberlea, Halifax County, on 29 January 1965, and since 1968, individuals have survived, generally at feeders, at least into February during all but five winters; these wintering birds have been in all parts of the province from Yarmouth County to Cape Breton Island.

Remarks This long-tailed, rufous-backed, robin-sized bird breeds from southern Alberta to New Brunswick, south to the southern United States. Its frequent occurrences here suggest that it soon may nest if it has not already done so.

It is a delightful songster, its varied melodies being not unlike those of the catbird and the mockingbird, to both of which it is closely related. Thoreau heard its song coming from a perch nearby while he was planting his garden and remarked that it could be interpreted as drop-it drop-it cover-it-up cover-it-up pull-it-up pull-it-up pull it-up. Each phrase of the song is repeated, and in this respect it differs from that of the catbird.

Like the catbird it shows a marked preference for thick shrubbery. It is not likely to be confused with any other species.