The widespread thrasher of eastern North America, the brown thrasher is generally a secretive bird of dense thickets and hedgerows. Often seen feeding on the ground, probing for insects with its long slender bill, the brown thrasher frequently sings from open exposed perches at the top of trees. Polytypic. Length 11.5".
Sexes similar. Similar in size to American robin, but more slender, much longer tailed. Upperparts entirely bright rufous; underparts white to buffy-white, especially on flanks, with extensive black streaking. Wing coverts with black subterminal bar and white tips, forming 2 wing bars. Bill long and slender; little decurviture. Yellow eye.
Western populations larger, paler, with less extensive streaking.
Most similar to the long-billed thrasher of southern Texas, which is more grayish
