Brown Thrashers - Did you know?

I've had Brown Thrashers around me all my life while living in the South, but I didn't know until this year a sure way to differentiate an adult from a juvenile. See what you think.

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Very interesting and thank you for the information. I did not know this. Beautiful photos of the birds too!

Interesting factoid, and some very pretty shots. Blue eyes in birds and dogs freak me out a bit. But concerning eye color differences, it's like that in osprey too.....not as dramatic a difference, but adults have yellow eyes and fledglings have orange (or it may be the other way around.....I'd have o go back and check).

Awesome info and captures. Great stuff for id! Thanks!
I’ve been trying to get a decent shot of these guys since they showed up a few days ago with no luck. Talk about elusive creatures. Great job!

Wallace River wrote in post #15984179
Interesting factoid, and some very pretty shots. Blue eyes in birds and dogs freak me out a bit. But concerning eye color differences, it's like that in osprey too.....not as dramatic a difference, but adults have yellow eyes and fledglings have orange (or it may be the other way around.....I'd have o go back and check).

"Blue eyes in birds and dogs freak me out a bit."
LOL!

Noticed the difference in eye color immediately but had no idea about this fact, very interesting. I have these birds by the dozens on my farm, now I will pay attention to see if I can recognize some young ones.
Very nice images, thanks for sharing them and the info as well.

Interesting information, Steve. Thank you for the fine photos, too.
Rex

Great shots and info. Very subtle difference.

Coopers hawks are similar.
Orange eyes as juveniles and red eyes as adults.
Nice photos and documentation.

This is really interesting Camfan! Thanks for the information. I don't think I have ever run across a juvy BRTH, but I'll know now to look for the eyes as another indicator.

Hope you don't mind me editing the photos, but I wanted to add to the understanding of recognizing juvenile birds (this can be used as a general reference for species).

I placed these in PDF so the user can zoom in on the picture for a better look at what I'm describing. Hope this helps.

Interesting facts that I didn't know...Great shots too!

butterfly2937 wrote in post #15984170
Very interesting and thank you for the information. I did not know this. Beautiful photos of the birds too!

Thanks very much Carol. They are a lot of fun to keep an eye on.

Wallace River wrote in post #15984179
Interesting factoid, and some very pretty shots. Blue eyes in birds and dogs freak me out a bit. But concerning eye color differences, it's like that in osprey too.....not as dramatic a difference, but adults have yellow eyes and fledglings have orange (or it may be the other way around.....I'd have o go back and check).

Always enjoy your comments/compliments Ian. Maybe my color balance is off a bit, but the juvie eyes look light gray to me so maybe you don't have to worry about these guys/gals

grizzerbear wrote in post #15984274
Awesome info and captures. Great stuff for id! Thanks!
I’ve been trying to get a decent shot of these guys since they showed up a few days ago with no luck. Talk about elusive creatures. Great job!

Much appreciated Barry as always. Hang in there with yours as they'll get used to you I'm sure.

Grizz1 wrote in post #15984292
Noticed the difference in eye color immediately but had no idea about this fact, very interesting. I have these birds by the dozens on my farm, now I will pay attention to see if I can recognize some young ones.
Very nice images, thanks for sharing them and the info as well.

You're very welcome Steve and thanks for the nice compliment. Your farm must really liven up when all these start singing at the same time.

surgemaster wrote in post #15984427
Interesting information, Steve. Thank you for the fine photos, too.
Rex

I'm glad you liked them Rex and your comments and compliments are always very gracious. Thanks.

2n10 wrote in post #15984613
Great shots and info. Very subtle difference.

Always appreciate the nice comments 2n. I think the difference went unnoticed by me until I had some images in hand. Then it became very apparent.

jhayesvw wrote in post #15984644
Coopers hawks are similar.
Orange eyes as juveniles and red eyes as adults.
Nice photos and documentation.

Thank you very much Jeremy. I wonder about the Curve-billed in your area?

Birdwatcher86 wrote in post #15984753
This is really interesting Camfan! Thanks for the information. I don't think I have ever run across a juvy BRTH, but I'll know now to look for the eyes as another indicator.

Hope you don't mind me editing the photos, but I wanted to add to the understanding of recognizing juvenile birds (this can be used as a general reference for species).

I placed these in PDF so the user can zoom in on the picture for a better look at what I'm describing. Hope this helps.

Thanks Michael and editing is fine. I noticed the differences you point out in the recent Nuthatch series I posted and some Carolina Wren images I have. It's a good point to remember.

rrblint wrote in post #15984812
Interesting facts that I didn't know...Great shots too!

Maybe you can win a bar bet with this fact Mark
I appreciate your nice comments.

Well that's something I've learned today. I didn't know birds eyes changed colour at all! Great series of shots, Steve.

Great set Steve, showing the eye colouring very well.

Excellent thread here with beautiful shots of this very vocal species. I noticed the eye color difference...I had some crows nesting in a pine tree in my front yard and was amazed at the blue eyes of the juveniles and its the only time I have seen this.