Friday, December 4

Information from my Stokes Field Guide to Birds

Identification” 6″ Warm brown above; rich buff below; prominent white eyebrow; no streaking on back or white barring on tail edges.

Feeding: Forages on the ground and on the bark and foliage of trees, eating insects, tree frogs, and some vegetable matter. May come to bird feeders.

Nesting: Nest of twigs, mosses, rootlets, bark, and sometimes snakeskin lined with fine materials, placed in natural cavity or a host of other places, including birdhouse, pail, brushpile, mailbox.

Eggs: 4-8, creamy or pink-white with brown marks.

Habitat: Forest understory, vines, and woodlands in rural or suburban areas.

Other Behavior: Expands population northward in years with mild winters. Males can sing up to 40 versions of song and sing throughout the year.

Voice: A loud repeated, 3-part phrase, like “tea kettle, tea kettle”; calls include a piping alarm note, a raspy buzz, and a harsh descending :teeer.”

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That is your bird lesson for today. 🙂