Georgia’s state bird is the Brown Thrasher — a reddish-brown songbird with a long, curved bill and one of the most impressive vocal repertoires of any North American bird. Despite being the official state bird since 1970, the Brown Thrasher is far less famous than its cousin the Northern Mockingbird, even though it can out-sing it many times over.
This guide covers the history behind Georgia’s choice of state bird, how to identify a Brown Thrasher, its behavior and diet, and how to attract one to your own backyard.
What Is Georgia’s State Bird?
Georgia’s state bird is the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum). It was first selected by Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge in 1935, though it wasn’t officially codified into state law until 1970, following advocacy from the Garden Clubs of Georgia.
| Detail | Information |
| State Bird | Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) |
| First Selected | 1935, by Governor Eugene Talmadge |
| Officially Adopted | 1970 |
| Size | Approximately 11-12 inches — similar to a Blue Jay or Common Grackle |
| Coloring | Reddish-brown back, white underside with dark streaking |
| Bill | Long and slightly curved |
| Notable Trait | One of the largest vocal repertoires of any North American songbird |
How to Identify a Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrashers are roughly the size of a Blue Jay or Common Grackle, with a reddish-brown (rufous) back and wings, a pale underside marked with dark streaks, and bright yellow eyes as adults. Their long, slightly curved bill is one of their most distinctive features, used for flipping leaves and digging through leaf litter in search of food.
One interesting identification note involves their eyes: juvenile Brown Thrashers typically have gray or blue-gray eyes, which gradually turn bright yellow as they mature into adults — a noticeable change that’s been observed repeatedly by backyard birders tracking individual birds over time.
Brown Thrasher Behavior and Habitat
Brown Thrashers favor dense shrubbery, low tree branches, and the cover of small trees like dogwoods or Japanese maples. They’re often heard before they’re seen — the rustling of leaves as they forage on the ground is a frequent giveaway of a nearby Thrasher.
Their foraging technique is distinctive: Brown Thrashers use their bill to flip leaves aside (or sometimes grab and toss leaves with both feet) while searching for insects, spiders, and worms underneath. They can also be notably territorial and assertive at feeding areas, holding their ground against larger birds including jays and grackles.
What Do Brown Thrashers Eat?
Brown Thrashers are primarily insectivores, with a diet that includes insects, spiders, caterpillars, and earthworms — similar to the diet of thrushes, warblers, and woodpeckers. This high-protein diet shapes how best to attract them to a yard.
How to Attract Brown Thrashers to Your Yard
Brown Thrashers can be attracted to feeders, though success depends on matching their natural diet rather than offering standard birdseed:
- Dried mealworms: One of the most effective foods for attracting Brown Thrashers — closely matches their natural insect-based diet
- Suet: Brown Thrashers will visit suet feeders, particularly when natural insects are less available (such as colder months)
- Platform feeders: A flat, open platform feeder works well for ground-foraging birds like Thrashers
- Bird baths: Brown Thrashers regularly use bird baths — shallow terracotta plant saucers work well and are an inexpensive option
- Dense shrubbery: Maintaining areas of thick shrubs or small trees gives Thrashers the cover they prefer, increasing the likelihood they’ll spend time in your yard
Keeping bird baths clean and filled with fresh water is important for the health of all visiting birds, not just Thrashers.
The Brown Thrasher’s Remarkable Vocal Range
One of the Brown Thrasher’s most impressive traits is its vocal repertoire. While the Northern Mockingbird is often considered the area’s premier vocal mimic, Brown Thrashers are capable of an even larger range of songs and calls — research has documented over 1,000 distinct song types, with some estimates suggesting the true number may be considerably higher. This makes the Brown Thrasher one of the most vocally versatile songbirds in North America, even though it receives far less attention for this ability than the Mockingbird.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Georgia’s state bird?
Georgia’s state bird is the Brown Thrasher. It was first selected in 1935 by Governor Eugene Talmadge and officially adopted into state law in 1970 after advocacy by the Garden Clubs of Georgia.
What does a Brown Thrasher look like?
A Brown Thrasher is roughly the size of a Blue Jay, with a reddish-brown back, a pale streaked underside, bright yellow eyes (in adults), and a long, slightly curved bill.
What do Brown Thrashers eat?
Brown Thrashers primarily eat insects, spiders, caterpillars, and earthworms. They forage by flipping leaves and leaf litter with their bill or feet to find prey underneath.
How do you attract Brown Thrashers to a bird feeder?
Dried mealworms are one of the most effective foods for attracting Brown Thrashers, since they closely match the bird’s natural insect-based diet. Suet, platform feeders, bird baths, and dense shrubbery for cover all help as well.
Is the Brown Thrasher related to the Mockingbird?
Brown Thrashers and Northern Mockingbirds are both in the family Mimidae, known for vocal mimicry. While Mockingbirds are more commonly recognized for their varied calls, Brown Thrashers have been documented with an even larger song repertoire — over 1,000 distinct song types according to research.
Final Thoughts
The Brown Thrasher may not be as widely recognized as some other state birds, but it’s a genuinely remarkable species — equal parts striking appearance, assertive personality, and one of the most impressive vocal ranges of any North American songbird. For Georgia backyard birders, a Brown Thrasher rustling through the leaf litter or holding its ground at the feeder is a common and welcome sight.