Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
MIMIDAE Members: Brown Thrasher 425
General Comments
The Brown Thrasher is the largest of the three breeding mimic-thrushes in the state, and its range in the state is somewhat intermediate between that of the Northern Mockingbird and Gray Catbird. The former occurs across the state in winter, whereas the Gray Catbird is found in winter essentially in the Coastal Plain. As with the other two, Brown Thrashers nest in all 100 counties, but it winters mainly in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, though small numbers do occur in the lower mountains in winter. As with the other two, thrashers breed in residential areas and farmyards, favoring hedgerows and other dense cover; however, this species breeds in most extensive clearcuts and other overgrown fields with saplings and shrubs. In winter, they occur in the same types of habitats as in the breeding season, but they become quite secretive, skulking about inside and under dense and usually evergreen shrub and thicket cover, even inside some forests.
Breeding Status
Breeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
S5B,S5N
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Permanent resident, with some migratory movements. Except in winter, common across most of the region, though only fairly common on barrier islands such as Hatteras and Ocracoke. In winter, fairly common over most of the province, being slightly more numerous near the coast. Peak counts:
Piedmont
Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Except in winter, generally common across the eastern and central portions, but fairly common in the foothills. In winter, fairly common along the eastern and southern portions, but uncommon (in midwinter) in the remainder of the region; can be scarce in some areas after severe weather events. Peak counts:
Mountain
Permanent resident, though scarce in winter. Fairly common to common in summer in the lower and middle elevations, up to about 4,000 feet; sparingly higher. In winter, rare to uncommon by midwinter in the lower elevations, and quite rare above about 2,500 feet. Peak counts:
Finding Tips
None needed (in summer).