Mystery Bird: Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum

Carolyn says it is a Carolina wren. I have no idea how she knows this.

I'm getting more of a brown thrasher feeling. I'm basing that on the color, mainly, but the streaking on the sides, the wingbars, and the tail proportion all look right, too.

Brown Thrasher. It's tail, for one, is much to long to be a wren. That nice brown and the streaked breast are good indications, too.

Plus I'm watching one right outside my window. That helps a bit.

Yes, a brown thrasher(Toxostoma rufum). Very good pic. Would have been superb if the thrasher had cooperated and turned his head to reveal his yellow eyes and curved bill. Rufous back, white wing bars, posture and long tail are great clues.

One of my favorites. I'm too woodsy for the mockingbird's taste, so I have to make do with catbirds and thrashers. rb

Brown thrasher: Chestnut back & wings, heavily streaked breast.

Ditto the above, with an extra mark -- the undertail coverts are unmarked. A Long-billed Thrasher (possible in some parts of Texas) would have a darker brown back and streaks on the undertail coverts.

Brown Thrasher. Paul Rushing Park is out of the normal range of Long-billed. Psweet, I didn't know about the streaked undertail coverts of the Long-billed, thanks.

I meant to say "Brown Thrasher for the reasons mentioned above. Plus, Paul Rushing ... "

Rob -- thanks for the geographical info. I saw Texas, and without any further info, figured I'd cover all the bases.