Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Sheldon

Since I've (hopefully) conquered the squirrel situation, I've noticed many more birds coming to the feeders. The most recent new visitor is the brown thrasher, scientifically identified as toxostoma rufum. He adores suet, so I try to keep it out just for him. And the woodies, too, of course! Photographed 10/18/13.
Looks like he has some sort of infection on his face. :( Wish I could do something for him.

He likes to be near this piece of driftwood when he's feeling insecure about his surroundings.



Some extra napkins over here please!
The brown thrasher is a very exuberant singer, often mimicking other birds. The mimicry is not surprising since they're in the same family as mockingbirds and catbirds. They are thought to have more than 1100 songs in their repertoire. Brown thrashers are the only thrasher species east of Texas. Their bodies are quite large and well-marked, yet well-camouflaged in dense shrubs and vegetation. During summer males climb high to sing on exposed limbs. The brown thrasher will vigorously defend their nest, known to draw blood from people and dogs. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed their young.

I've named this one Sheldon (from The Big Bang Theory) because he sings complex musical phrases, repeating each phrase twice. I find that just a tad OCD, but in a cute way. :)

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday and I'd Rather B Birdin'. Thanks to the generous hosts, Stewart and Anni!

Edit: Certain blogs are not updating in Feedly in a timely manner. I'm not sure if Blogger is the problem or it's Feedly. Anyone else having issues? Thanks!

35 comments:

Lea said...

Great photos!
Happy Bird Watching!
Lea

Amy Burzese said...

Sheldon is a lucky bird to be featured on your blog. Great pictures.

TexWisGirl said...

he's a beauty (even with his rash). i haven't seen a brown thrasher since leaving wis. so many years ago!

Anni said...

Oh my goodness...Gail, these are awesome. I do love watching them here in our parks, but never have had any visit our feeders. And I DO have suet cakes out...bah!!!!

I love Sheldon!!! [both the name AND Sheldon on BBT]

Kim Stevens said...

A mighty pretty bird indeed, great shots!

Stephanie said...

A very pretty bird :) Have a beautiful day! Hugs!

Stephanie said...

A very pretty bird :) Have a beautiful day! Hugs!

Stephanie said...

A very pretty bird :) Have a beautiful day! Hugs!

Karen said...

He has lovely markings, and your photos are great! I am having the same problem of blogs not updating, but I don't use Feedly, so it must be Blogger.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Our is a blogger issue.
Sheldon and his ocd are cute.

God's Grace Overflows said...

What a very beautiful bird! It just goes to show how amazing God is for creating such beauty!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment. That's what blogging is all about :)

Blessings,
Amy

hootnonny said...

Shelton is a perfect name. The Brown Trasher is the state bird of Georgia, my home state!

Interesting how Shelton finds comfort in driftwood!

Wally Jones said...

Gail, this is a very nice series on the Brown Thrasher!
Aren't they gorgeous!
All the good looks and they can sing, too.

Super photography!

bj said...

This is a beautiful bird...love him all nestled up to the stump...blends right in. :)
xo bj

Nancy said...

The detail in these shots is just amazing....He's really a beautiful bird...So glad you are keeping him fed...
I haven't forgotten our adventure; will be in touch soon....

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great shots- very pretty bird.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful. I enjoy this bird each spring as he sings from the top of one of the nearby trees.

Kittie Howard said...

You make Bird Watching seem so cool, Gail. Do you think they ever pose for you, like seriously? On the national news about a year ago, they showed birds counting stuff needed.

Starla said...

What beautiful markings this fellow has!

eileeninmd said...

Love your pretty Thrasher, Gail! Wonderful photos!

Willow said...

Great catches of the Trasher , Sheldon. lol
I love the Big Bang Theory ...if I am having an off night I search out the reruns even , never fails to get me in a good mood !

Deanna said...

Great shots of a great looking bird. And I love that you have named him Sheldon...perfect choice. I was having trouble with blogger earlier, and I know Nancy from A Rural Journal was really complaining yesterday about all the problems she was having with Feedburner or Feedly one of them.

Carletta said...

Wow, excellent close ups!
The third one is my fave.
I have put up my feeders and suet but haven't seen many birds. I think the problem is my neighbor's cat who resides outside and I catch him every morning on my back deck. I'm hoping if I scare him away enough he'll stay away. I'm missing my feathered friends. :(

Carletta said...

Meant to say I LOVE Big Bang Theory!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I've seen a lot of brown thrashers (when we used to winter in Arizona mostly) but never got a picture..
The top picture is beautiful.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You've captured some wonderful photos of Sheldon. I love these birds. They're the next best thing to Northern Mockingbirds with their repertoire of bird songs.

Unknown said...

Fabulous series of photos of this beautiful bird.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Great images shared! LOVE Thrashers and ours are always in hiding. I so hope they would come to my suet feeders...never have yet~

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful bird. I've seen one here several times, but he's really good at hiding. You were able to get some wonderful shots.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love Brown Thrashers. Such beautiful birds. I don't see them as often as I used to.

beth said...

has he knocked at your door yet saying, "penny, penny, penny?"

LOL

Dave said...

Excellent images of this lovely Thrush Species. Superb composition with it next to the tree stump, cheers
Dave

Brian King said...

Fantastic photos! I haven't seen one of these guys in a long time.

Stewart M said...

Ah Sheldon! Great name - and not a bad TV show either!

Why are they called Thrashers?

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Donna said...

I love this bird...he is a mighty bird and one I have not seen here...love the name too...perfect