Brampton backyard birder

[BillSimpson]

I am a long-term occasional birder who is finding more time to look around. Two recent sightings of birds I had never seen before: 1 brown thrasher and  2 Swainson's thrushes, both in my backyard. I am pretty confident of the identification of the brown thrasher, a little less so on the thrushes.

Are these commonly seen in backyards?

Location: Brampton (Williams Parkway and Dixie)

[Brian Bailey]

Are these commonly seen in backyards?

 Well it all depends on your yard, but it wouldn't be too unusual.

Some Brown Thrashers will be around all summer, but you are more likely to find them now, during migration.

As for the thrushes, they were more likely Hermit Thrushes.  Both species come through in good numbers during migration, but the Hermit Thrushes are earlier.  You generally won't start seeing Swainson's Thrushes until May.  (Yes I realize that's tomorrow  :wink: )  They look very similar.  The easiest ways to separate a Hermit Thrush from a Swainson's are that the Hermit's tail is a noticeably rustier colour than the back & wings.  They also have a habit of pumping their tails (up fast, down slow).

BB

[BillSimpson]

Thanks for the reply. You are probably right about the Thrush being a Hermit. The tail was definitely redder than brown.