Every state has its state bird and animal. The same stands true for Georgia as well. The Brown Thrasher or Toxostoma rufum is the state bird of Georgia.
These birds are the colorful songbirds that are common in Georgia. But many people still want to know why this bird gets this title? When did they become state birds?
Such questions are common when the Brown Thrasher is discussed. And In this article, I’ve explained all such facts related to Brown Thrasher.
When did the Brown Thrasher become the state bird of Georgia?
In 1928, the first attempt was made to declare Brown Thrasher as the state bird of Georgia. A group of school children voted this bird as their number one choice.
Even the red-headed woodpecker was also considered but it was opposed by the local tree owners and due to this, it got removed from the list.
The choice of school children was supported by the State Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Atlanta Bird Club.
After which, the bill to declare the Brown Thrasher as the state bird of Georgia was introduced but it got failed to get into the act at the time.
In 1935, Governor Eugene Talmadge declared the Brown Thrasher the state bird of Georgia. But it was done via proclamation. This bird did not receive the official state bird of Georgia until some 35 years.
After which the Garden Clubs of Georgia supported this and a resolution was presented and passed by the Georgia General Assembly on March 20, 1970. The resolution also designated the quail as the state’s official game bird.
Why Brown Thrasher was given the status of the state bird of Georgia?
The reason for choosing the Brown Thrasher bird as the state bird is not known. But it is presumed that it was selected due to the unique song of this bird.
These birds have an impressive range of calls that mimic other birds and even makes sounds similar to human kissing sound.
As per the Cornell Lab, the Brown Thrasher bird can make over 1100 sounds. They tend to sing in phrases repeated twice and then they move to another sound or phrase.
How did the Brown Thrasher Get Its Name?
The origin of the name of this bird is not known. But some claim that these birds got their name because of the way they twitch their tail, which is similar to the action of a thresher that is used to remove the seeds from harvested stalks of grain.
However, some other claims that these birds search for food under leaves and brush as they tend to flail and thrash leaves and soil in search of their meal.
What does the Brown Thrasher look Like?
The Brown Thrasher are shy birds and it is difficult to spot them. But they can in areas under trees and shrubs. These birds are 9 to 12 inches in length with rusty brown feathers covering their back.
They have distinct light bellies marked with striking dark streaking. You will find two black and white wing bars, a long & slightly curved bill, and piercing yellow eyes.
They tend to hold their long tail feathers upward. But both male and female Brown Thrasher appears to be identical.
How To attract Brown Thrashers to your Yard?
It is not common to see these birds at frequent bird feeders but they may feed under the feeders. This is especially true if mealworms are offered to them.
They can also get attracted to fruit and berries. But your yard should provide a natural habitat for them so that they can crave it. You can use some tricks to attract these birds to your yard, these can be:
- Plant shrubs or trees that can offer nuts and berries to these birds. However, prefer plants with thorns and dense foliage as this will provide a hiding place for the Brown Thrasher.
- Create a brush pile. The brush piles can also help these birds to keep themselves safe from predators.
- Just keep old leaves under shrubs and trees as they are the favorite feeding ground of these birds.
- Install a birdbath near the ground with water which should not be deeper than 1.5 inches at its deepest part. Prefer installing a sloping bath.
Facts About Brown Thrashers
The Brown Thrasher birds are shy but they tend to remain in dense foliage. But these birds can become aggressive and will drive anyone away that threatens the nest.
These birds are not good flyers and can spend most of their time in shrubs and small trees. They perch on tall trees to sing.
When it comes to mating, these birds remain with their mate all season. They lay 3 to 6 eggs and can produce two clutches in a season. The fledglings of these birds leave their nest in 9 to 13 days.
Conclusion
Brown Thrasher is a colorful songbird that has an amazing range of vocalizations. They have striking yellow eyes and unusual foraging behavior.
This bird is the state bird of Georgia and is usually shy. In March 1970, this bird received this title.
At last, I hope this article may have helped you in some ways. Thank You For Reading!
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