Part 6

Brown Thrashers are found in suitable habitat anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains and sometimes spend the winter far north of their usual southern range. Sennett’s Thrasher is similar but is found in the southern parts of Texas. Brown Thrashers are often called “Brown Thrushes,” but thrushes have short tails, a different type of song, and prefer a different habitat.

You pair your notes, Then triple some, Which lets us know That spring has come.

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

To know the Wood Thrush is to love him. Unfortunately he seldom visits cities unless parks or other heavily-wooded areas are found within the borders. Forests, with a plentiful undercover, offer the seclusion which this bird demands. There you will hear the flute-like tones which make this bird famous as a singer. It is not a continued effort; each series of notes is followed by a rest, allowing you to absorb the full beauty of the rounded tones—then another, but completely different series, sometimes higher, sometimes lower, but always the same pure quality. Some think the Hermit Thrush is a better singer, but the Wood Thrush is a close competitor.

When you invade his domain he will greet you with a series of scolding notes, but that gives you a chance to see him. You will notice he is slightly smaller than a Robin, has a heavily-spotted breast and a rufous head, the back wings and tail more of a reddish cinnamon-brown. They nest rather low and use either mud or leaf mold in building a sturdy structure. This is an eastern bird but ranges from Minnesota, Ontario and New Hampshire south almost to the Gulf. A few winter around the Gulf of Mexico but most prefer the more southern areas of Mexico, Central America and Panama.

If mortals had Your gift of song, Some popular tunes Would seem less long.

Olive-backed Thrush Hylocichla ustulata

The Olive-backed Thrush and the Gray-cheeked Thrush are similar. Both show olive-brown backs, light under parts and lighter spots than the Wood Thrush. The Olive-backed is slightly smaller and shows a more distinct eye ring, buffier cheeks and breast. This bird’s song is a series of flute-like tones which spiral upward. A. D. DuBois (M.S. quoted by Bent in Bulletin 196-1949-P. 184) thinks of it as saying “whip-poor-will-a-will-a-zee-zee-zee.” The Veery’s song starts high and runs down the scale, while the Gray-cheeked Thrush’s song, tho similar in quality, shows less variation and ends on a slightly higher note.

Except a narrow range west of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains, occupied by a western race, the Russet-backed Thrush, Olive-backs can be found from Northern North America to Central South America, depending on the season of the year. One of the nice things about this bird is that he sings during migration, giving bird lovers a chance to hear his song without traveling to the land of spruce, fir and birch, which is a favorite nesting area.

More than 63 per cent of this bird’s food is animal matter and includes many beetles. Wild, soft-skinned fruits with occasional seeds complete the diet.

A swirl of notes Ascending high Like whirlwinds That reach the sky.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

This tiny bird, smaller than a chickadee, never seems to have a quiet moment. On first sight, one is reminded of a Mockingbird, but not from his color, for he is blue-gray above and whitish below. It might be the long tail with the black center and white sides or perhaps it is the trim build. There is a narrow, white eye ring, and the male shows a dark line above the bill. These marks are sometimes difficult to see due to the bird’s restlessness. The tail seems to be constantly in motion. Both birds utter call notes, a thin “spee” or “zpee” sound. His song itself is faint and seldom heard.

These birds range from Southern Canada to Guatemala and are permanent residents in some states bordering the Gulf, but sporadic in their northern range.

The Gnatcatcher is an early migrant and can be found well into his nesting range by the middle of April. Nests sometimes are constructed in advance of egg-laying dates. Perhaps the bird is taking advantage of a supply of building materials which are seasonal. It frequently dismantles the first nest, using the contents in the construction of another nest in a more favorable location. It is built of plant down and other materials, bound with webs and covered with lichens.

A whispered “spee” From yonder tree, Gives us a clue That it is you.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula

When you hear this bird sing, you are impressed by the beauty of clear, but variable notes. When you check the source, you are surprised to see a tiny bird with such a big voice. His short tail might lead you to believe he is even smaller than the 3¾ to 4½ inches which he measures. His coloring is not impressive, being an olive-gray. You might notice the distinct eye ring or the prominent wing bars. If he is excited by your close inspection, he might flash the ruby crown feathers, from which he gets his name.

In fall you might think this bird was a warbler for he has some of the warbler actions. He constantly flicks his wings and tail in a nervous manner, but you will miss the tail markings of the warblers. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is similar in size and general markings, but both male and female show distinctive gold crown patches. The Golden-crowned seems a little more rugged and spends his winters farther north.

These birds nest in the spruce belt of Canada and spend the winter in Southern United States with scattering records as far north as Iowa. The Western Ruby-crowned Kinglet is similar in appearance but has a slightly different song. It frequently nests as far south as New Mexico.

We look at you, A tiny thing, And marvel at The way you sing.

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Waxwings are the nomads of the bird world; like gypsies, they come and go. Apparently they drift southward in the fall and northward in the spring, but have no regular migration. They range from Southern Canada to Central America but might leave when it frosts or stay thru the winter. Unlike some “Knights of the Road,” they present a neat appearance. In fact the soft, brownish-gray plumage, fading into lighter under parts, the slate-colored tail with the yellow tip, the jaunty crest, the black eye mask, the reddish spot on the wing, the sleek, streamlined stance—all mark him as an aristocrat.

Waxwings like companions and travel in flocks. Where you find one, you might find a dozen or more than one hundred. Whether feeding or resting, you will hear them conversing in a high-pitched, wheezy note which is difficult to describe. Some refer to it as a hiss, others as a whine.

When an ample supply of food is available, Cedar Waxwings gorge themselves until they seem rather listless. Various fruits and berries are relished, but insects and cankerworms are taken in season.

The Bohemian Waxwing is slightly larger, grayer and shows more white on the wing and brown under-tail coverts.

You’re just a glutton, That we know, For you’re not one To eat and go.

Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus