Thrush + Mimick Info

Eastern Bluebird

cavity nesters that live on forest edges near meadows and fields

Eastern Bluebird

boxes are made for them because the old-growth trees they use have been cut down

Eastern Bluebird

like to perch in open areas to scan the ground for prey (insects)

Eastern Bluebird

males sing and display at potential nesting sites, bring nesting materials and feed the female during courting

the female ultimately picks the nest location and builds the nest

both parents care for babies and they use the same nest for multiple seasons

Eastern Bluebird

populations have decreased because of the introduction of other nesting birds

have recovered due to nesting boxes

Wood Thrush

looks like an immature American Robin with the speckled breast

Wood Thrush

flute-like calls

similar species in Europe led to the myth of flute carrying Peter Pan

Wood Thrush

cowbirds have affected this species hard with their brood parasitism

Wood Thrush

eat leaf litter invertebrates and fruit

forage alone

Wood Thrush

one of the first songbirds heard in the morning and one of the last in the evening

Wood Thrush

males make a clear, flute-like call to attract a female

female initiates by getting the male to chase her in the air

Wood Thrush

female provides parental care and defends the nest

Wood Thrush

near threatened

American Robin

feeds on the ground by listening for invertebrates like earthworms

American Robin

short-distance migrant that goes to open water to find food

American Robin

males take care of fledglings while the female begins a second nesting attempt

American Robin

females are pursued by multiple males

both parents feed babies

aggressive nest defenders

Gray Catbird

call sounds like a cat meowing

Gray Catbird

live in thick tangles in the forest and are rarely seen

Gray Catbird

nest predators of other songbirds

can specifically ID and destroy cowbird eggs

Gray Catbird

known as “mimic” thrushes

Gray Catbird

males sing during breeding season

males chase females and show off the brown patch under their tail

Gray Catbird

only the female incubates but both parents feed hatchlings

Gray Catbird

pets are a problem for them

Northern Mockingbird

males mimic lots of sounds like other birds, car horns, and ambulance sirens

Northern Mockingbird

males with a better range of sounds are able to protect and keep better territories than males with few sounds

Northern Mockingbird

will call at night as well as during the day

unusual for songbirds

Northern Mockingbird

males choose their territory and then chase females while singing, show them good nesting spots, and do a “flight display” by flying a few meters up and then falling slowly while singing

Northern Mockingbird

females lay and incubate the eggs

males feed the babies and teaches them how to fly

mate once a breeding season

Brown Thrasher

stick to very thick vegetation and are more likely to be seen than heard

wants nesting ground that has other birds present

Brown Thrasher

its harsh call is one of the first in the morning and one of the last before dark

often used to mark hunting hours

Brown Thrasher

diet is determined by the time of year

Fall/Winter: 50/50 plants to animals

Spring/Summer: 20/80 plants to animals

Brown Thrasher

low-level flyers that stays near the ground

Brown Thrasher

court mates by calling and giving gifts

Brown Thrasher

Problems:

habitat loss

predation