Just got in from watching a diligent little hawkmoth pollinating every flower of our garden, and now this greets me. These narrations give me such joy! You credit their intelligence without anthropomorphizing them and it rocks! Also thank you for reminding me about "This little light of mine."
Alright, I'm jealous about the hawkmoth. And pleased to read your comments on this movie. I gather this isn't the only one of my movies you've watched, and that's always nice to know. (Have you seen my latest about How Butterflies Eat? It's got some interesting info and stunning closeups.) So anyway, I had to rewatch this movie because I didn't know how I had credited their intelligence without anthropomorphizing them. I'm still not sure just what you were referring to, but it's an interesting observation. I 'm aware of the temptation and try to avoid it. So thanks for your comment (and keep humming "This Little Light of Mine").
I love these charming birds !! They are definitely nature's track stars. It's fun to watch them scurry about . So pretty too.🤗😍 Your narratives are the BEST !!
If I had thought to call them "nature's track stars", I'd have included it in the script, Pamela. Sprinters. Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoy my movies. I put everything I've got into each one, and it's good to know that the effort is appreciated on your end.
Jo Alwood indeed the most lively and entertaining narration I've seen on a bird channel. No pressure though! Mine is quite a hefty and menacing thing, but he will just sit on my back porch and stare at me for like 10 minutes straight. I noticed that they're very sensitive to noises and so I have to turn off anything I have going. They're also incredibly skittish. To be honest I think I have a male because he's so big. I've not seen him with a partner, but then they all look alike. I truly think I have a solo male though.
I enjoyed hearing that you like my style of narration and that you've got your own Brown Thrasher to entertain you. Thanks for writing. Have you watched the followup to this movie? It's about Brown Thrasher juveniles: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html (And if you subscribe, you have access to all my narrated movies, more than 200 of them.) Don't worry about putting pressure on me. I do that all by myself. 😉
Thank u so much for this!!!! This is my favorite bird!! Soooo under-rated! A few winters ago we had near our house who had picked up the wolf whistle from my sister's cocktiel.
Yes, very cool! Have any of the nestlings fledged yet? I've also done a movie about the parents feeding the fledglings--oh, and another one about them protecting the nest from predators.
Wonderful video and narration! The brown thrasher is my favorite mimid species, and they’re always a delight to watch and listen to. A pair nests in my backyard, and another pair nests across the street; both regularly visit my feeding platform for nuts and grapes. Studies show that mockingbirds recognize faces, and I suspect their brown thrasher cousins can too based on some observations and personal experiences (they don’t mind me being close to them, but they’ll dash away from almost anyone else in my family). For some, brown thrashers are difficult to find at first, but once you spot one, you begin seeing them all the time. They are stunning birds, and they look especially lovely when the sunlight hits their gorgeous feathers. ❤️
For a Brown Thrasher lover: @S4H8 and @vXVw. Hearing from my viewers and responding to their comments is a pleasure. Unfortunately I must forgo answering comments for awhile because the rotator cuff tear in my left arm is healing slowly, and I just learned that I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right arm. I seem to have a body made out of spare parts- made on the cheap in China. So I won’t be answering comments before the beginning of August, if then. But if there’s something you’d like to tell me, please do so. I’ll be interested in what you have to say. It’s just that you’ll have to guess at what I would have answered. (I’ll be pasting this answer to every comment I get for the next few weeks.)
I get it, Brandon. those Brown Thrashers hold a special place in my heart too. I've done two other movies about them--just in case you weren't aware of it.
Outstanding video. Our narrator was more of what we need, quiet, knowledgeable and professional. I just started noticing our brown thrashers this Spring. Great to watch.
Thank you for the compliment, John. I appreciate it. You might like to watch the two other vids I've done about Brown Thrashers: the first shows them attacking nest predators (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZGlDEBeS4H8.html) and the second teaches you about their fledglings (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html). I've been watching these handsome birds for three or four years now, and it's been a treat.
Jo Alwood, excellent as ever. It is a pity that more people are not finding your mini documentaries. I have a recommendation that if you follow it will likely bring more viewers to see your work. Make your own compilation videos with an introduction on the birds/creatures that will be featured in the compilation and then make sure that the video lasts for 10 minutes or longer. What will happen is your watch time will go up as viewers stay for such longer videos and once your watch time goes up RU-vid's algorithms will respond by bringing more viewers to your videos. The algorithm really tends to kill-off shorter vids by not listing them as suggestions on other related videos found on the site. What you could do is make a series of compilations for the videos you've already published and then as you go along making your shorter videos when a new series is published that totals 10 minutes or more you make a new compilation each time. You've got a good base of subscribers and the content is super interesting I think that all that is needed now is longer watch times. :-) Thumbs up!
I think that the RU-vid phenomenon you described is already acting in my favor, Scott, in that my videos are often at or near the top of the suggested lists, even though I may have a tenth or a hundredth of the views of the other top contenders. I've always figured that that occurs because my viewers do tend to stick with the video until near the end. Whether longer compilations would magnify that advantage for me, I don't know. But it couldn't hurt to try. Your wisdom about 1080p panned out, and maybe this idea will too .So I'll make some compilations. I guess the way to judge their effectiveness will be to keep an eye on my subscriber numbers for an uptick in the rate of new subscribers. I heartily appreciate the interest you've taken in helping me and the high opinion you have of my work. Thank you for all of it.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Ah, yes, this is a funny quirk of RU-vid's recommendation system. You can have the impression that your videos are being suggested throughout the site when you go to visit other videos. The reason this happens is that RU-vid's system will generally suggest videos to you personally that you have previously watched. It will even suggest your own videos. It can look as though your videos are being generally suggested elsewhere but alas unless the video has many thousands of views this will generally not be the case. This is why it can be helpful to have longer watch times on your video such that your videos will enter in the general video suggestion system (which shows your videos to a more significant number of people even those who've never watched one of your videos) and not simply the personalized suggestion system which will recommend your videos only to people that have previously watched them.
Scott, it's a wonder what you know about the system. Me, I'm technologically challenged--in everything but using film editing software. That's interesting information, and it makes me all the more eager to try a compilation. That's the next notification you'll get from my channel. Thanks again.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME For a time I was an effective RU-vidr. I hark back to the days when RU-vid was geared towards videos lasting 1 to 5 minutes. At that time many of my videos became well referenced in the suggestions system. Now that the system is geared towards 10 minute+ videos I haven't been as productive. I likely should make my own compilation but I've kept busy elsewhere of late. I am fairly confident that for you longer videos will help build your channel. I look forward to seeing your next video production! :-)
I had no idea that RU-vid was geared toward videos over ten minutes. That's unfortunate because I think most of my viewers would prefer the shorter films. But doing compilations should be an easy matter, and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again for your insight, Scott.
Great video. I have a brown thrasher family that roams my backyard (they love the suet feeders) and I love looking at them, ESPECIALLY the daddy thrasher. I joke all the time with my mom that the daddy thrasher is like The Godfather. ALL of the birds are afraid of his presence even though he never flaps his wings or attacks other birds himself.
Yeah, Brown Thrashers are one of my favorites. In fact we have been feeding several of the birds dried meal worms mixed with grape jelly, and the Brown Thrashers show up for those treats. It's a lot of fun to see them just six or seven feet from where I'm sitting.
Great film and info Jo. We have thrashers here and lucky to catch a glimpse before they run off. Speaking of running and walking off, great capture of just that! Glad to see and hear both your Brown Thrashers, hope to see more of them.
Cathy, you, as a videographer, know more than most people how lucky I've been to be able to get such fine footage of them. Because they nested in our yard, I knew their habits and regular haunts. They never stood a chance against my sneaky recording techniques. 😉 I'll do one more of them showing the adults feeding the fledglings. I might even repost the one about them defending the nest against Bluejays.
Dana, thanks for telling me so. I really enjoy hearing that and especially enjoy knowing that kids are learning about birds. Keep encouraging that love of nature.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME May I ask a quick question? What do you think of the Red Winged Kentucky Blackbird? They are my favorite avian dinosaur! I so wish it were possible to go back in time to when the asteroid hit Chixzulub (?) and witness the non avian dinosaurs last moments! Such a horrific, worldwide catastrophe…the birds are very fortunate to have survived at all.
@@1lightspeed Is the Red-winged Kentucky Blackbird any different from the Red-winged Blackbird. I have a couple of movies on the Red-winged, but I never heard of a Kentucky variation on it. The Red-wings are interesting in a couple of respects: their attitude about fidelity to their mates and their determination to protect their nestlings. The bird that makes me think about dinosaurs is the Wood Stork (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A9J3vydNlKo.html) As for the cataclysm that ended the era of dinosaurs, it's one of five mass extinctions the planet has suffered. And if humans don't mend their ways, we're on our way to a sixth. At least I know this much, the planet survives them.
I have two mating pairs. Been here more than 15 years. This year one pair had 2 babies, the other had 3. I realize these may be descendants of the original pair from around 2005-2006.
We have two nesting pairs as well--near as we can figure anyway. Currently, they're eating the Serviceberries, having feasted for the last couple of weeks on Mulberries. Watching them in action is always a treat. I know you understand. If you want to watch them some more, I have a couple of other movies about them and they figure in the action of this one also: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0Tf5gixXVT0.html
Have one in the hedgerow. He comes to eat from the scattered seed I throw. I learned a few things here. I always try to identify with their sound as it gives me a much more full understanding of where and what the Bird is saying and doing. I will listen now for the distinction. Thank you and great video. Love the way they scurry.
Brown Thrashers will always be one of my favorite birds. I’ve got a couple more movies about them that - if you haven’t already seen them - you’d probably enjoy, especially the one about how they respond to nest predators.
They are extremely territorial. I've shown that in a couple of my earlier movies, like this one about how they run other birds away from a feeder: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UbUJ1oTPH40.html
They are the most territorial I’ve ever seen , next to the hummingbirds . They’re mockingbirds are the most fearless birds I’ve ever seen ! They dive bomb their number one predators (cats ) and people too ! Numerous videos here on RU-vid and other sites. I used to dislike them , but now I’m impressed by them .
Exactly the kind of video that I'm looking for!! Excellent narration and content. I especially love this bird and always enjoy when it comes to feed on my porch.
First, I loved your video. Thank you so much. Due to allowing spaces in our yard to grow as a wildlife habitat, I have been able to identify 54 species of birds. The Brown Thrashers are high up on my list of favorites. One thing that I have observed, is that the Brown Thrashers' behavior changed completely once they were finished raising and protecting their family. But I have not found any similar observations documented online. I would like to know your response if you read this. During the summer, I used to have to observe them a little distance away from the hedgerow where they were raising their young. Most of the time, they must have come out to forage on the opposite side, so I only saw them once in awhile, and only at mid-morning. Starting sometime in August, the Thrashers stopped hiding in the bushes. I now see them out and about, any time of day, on almost a daily basis. On the other side of our small pond, I have two very tall trees that stayed dormant this year and did not leaf out. They have become a popular perch for lots of birds. The Thrashers have been joining them, and not just low down. They like to perch anywhere from mid-height to almost the top. Two days ago, I was sitting next to a large bush close to the pond, as I do almost every day. A pair of Thrashers flew right over (They have never done this before) and perched in the bush close to me. Then, they flew to the edge of the cattails and back again to the bush. They repeated that short, low flight several times right in front of me. I got a close-up display of their lovely fantails as they flew. They didn't seem threatening in any way. It seemed more like they were showing off for me, although I know that probably wasn't their reason. It is mid-September now and haven't seen them since. Maybe they left to go south. Also, since you mentioned this, here is a quote from All About Birds, " In North America master mimics include mockingbirds, thrashers, and catbirds; all of which are in the family Mimidae, so named because of this family’s skill at mimicking other species. The Brown Thrasher can sing up to 2,000 different songs and may be the champion mimic in North America."
Both my husband and I were surprised by what All about Birds had to say about the Thrasher's skill at mimicry. We both could have sworn we had read otherwise, but of course, we don't remember where we read it. 🤷♀ As for their behavior changing after the young fledge, I can't say I've noticed it, but it sounds to me like you spend more time observing them than I do. We're still seeing the Thrashers here in Missouri.
By the way, Pamela, I probably should have mentioned in my first reply to you that I've done two other movies about Brown Thrashers--one about their fledglings and another about how they protect the nest from predators.
They're one of my favorite birds, Glenda. I hope you can manage to attract several of them. A couple of them overwintered here last winter. I've done a couple of other films about them (you can search YT for brown thrashers Alwood) and a film about Gray Catbirds that you might want to watch for its info on attracting the Thrashers to your property: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gR-CgVAGSyQ.html
I'm a bit confused by the statement (@ 3:33) that the thrasher's repertoire is a tenth of the mockingbird's. Most research has shown that both brown and sage thrashers have some of the most astoundingly large song repertoires in the bird world. Michael Boughey conducted a study in 1981 of two male brown thrashers in MA and concluded that they each had repertories somewhere in the range of 1500 to 2000 songs. Donald Kroodsma, in The Singing Life of Birds (193-202), studied one bird that he found had a repertoire of at least 2400 distinct songs. But the true number, taking into account the thrasher's improvisations, unrepeated phrases, and the limitations of the human listener, is probably far higher. "Perhaps it's infinite," Kroodsma says. The mockingbird, by contrast, has an average repertoire of between 100 & 200 songs.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am working on a movie right now about how they defended their nest, and I did another one about them feeding their fledglings: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html
We live on a hill and for years mocking birds ruled the bird feeder outside our front door that looks down over the cul de sac. Then the brown thrashers came along and we rarely see a mocking bird at all. They seem to like the overgrown brush near the woods behind our house.
Precious! I'd learned, decades ago, that for koala bears, when they eat eucalyptus leaves, they turn to a mild form of alcohol in the koalas system. Watchin these precious Brown Thrashers, it makes me wonder if their digestive systems turn their bugs & worms into PURE ADRENALIN (giggle!)! (It was also nice to see your Mockingbird in this video, too!)
Haha. Good point about the adrenaline. Don't you wish our food could do that for us?! I think I'm in love with the Brown Thrashers. I was out filming them again this morning as they ate mealworms we put on the walkway. They're just so much fun to watch. I've been filming the Mockingbird too--got a couple of movies in the works on him.
I now have a Brown Thrasher who has taken up residency in my front yard shrubs. I was instantly attracted to the bright brownish feathers and spotted chest. I’ve seen it every morning since it’s arrival. I’m hoping that with spring around the corner that more new birds will be coming around. As always, thank you for sharing these amazing videos. 😉
Ours is back too, Miss Renee. Three days ago, he put on a little concert for me and my camcorder, and I was thrilled! Hope he nests in the same hollies this year. I agree with you: his colors and patterns are so appealing. I hope he nests in your yard--though that, of course, will depend on him finding a mate there.
No, they're definitely camera shy, Hans. But with them nesting right here in the yard, I knew their habits and could work around their attempts to avoid me. Glad you enjoyed the film.
I didn't know he was anybody's state bird, P.C., but Google tells me you live in Georgia. My husband and I agreed that last summer was the summer of the Brown Thrasher. They nested in our yard and raised two broods. Loved It! Did you see the other vid I made about them? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html
I appreciate the compliment, Jonathan--and agree with you that I deserve more subs. 😉 To that end, I just keep plugging away (and hoping that you and others will tell their friends about my channel).
They are cool. I was watching one outside the den window today and mourning the fact that I've already done three movies on them and have no more to say. So I have no excuse to keep filming them. Too bad.
It is easy to mistake them if you don't see their long curved beak for a wood thrush...the bear very similar coloring. We have a few (of both) here. However, today is the first time I've ever heard one singing. Thank you for your lovely production.
Yes, they look a lot alike. But we seldom get the Wood Thrushes here in Missouri. The Brown Thrashers, on the other hand, are common, and we had one or two of them even winter here last season. Seeing one always brings a smile. I'm glad you finally got to hear one sing.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Our wood thrush come at the same time: the week of 04/27. I can set a clock by them. They have such a lyrical flute-like song. But their habitat is disappearing. We have the perfect habitat for them. A couple of years ago I saw a brown thrasher, among other birds, crowding about and fanning in alarm near a snake. You can learn much by listening to the birds to find silent raptors (our barred owl) and silent reptiles. So glad to have found your channel.
@@notesfromleisa-land Thank you for the compliment on my channel, Elle. And I know you're right about listening to bird racket to find predators. I've never seen them mobbing a snake, but that's pretty cool.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I swear this to be a true story. I heard a racket outside. Several birds were near the bluebird nest box squawking and flying about. Such a commotion. I went out but could not identify the source after looking carefully on the ground. I went back in. The male bluebird came up to the window.. Hailing me. [sounds fantastical but true]. I went back out. This time I spotted the rat snake in a nearby tree. I hadn't looked up. I managed to get him down and away by beating the sapling. He was not near enough to get in. I looked in the box and the nestling were gone. Eventually found 2 of them over the course of several hours as they hopped into the fenced yard and the 3rd the next morning. Fortunately I found them before my dogs or Mr slinky did. I thought they had been eaten. I put them back in the nest box per the rehabber, but the parents would not go back in. After more than 4 hours with no sustenance I had to get creative. The wildlife rehabber said not unusual in predator situation. Each parent would go to box and fan as if predator in it when in fact their nestling were back in. I took them out and tried to feed them. They would accept no food from me. I made a makeshift nest from a decorative wooden bird cage where I inserted the nest from the box. I put it in a weatherproof shopping tote with the door clear for parents . I put it on a hanging platform that the mealworms used to be served on. The mother began feeding these 2 within 30 minutes. I saw her feeding the 3rd and scoop him into the "nest". She cared for them them over next week until they were ready to fledge. Father bluebird showed up only once which I found odd. There may have been other fledges that he was caring for. . Unbelievably stressful but ultimately successful. I was grateful to the wildlife rehabber for guidance. I learned a lot about predators and early fledging. Though I have predator guards the snake was proximate enough to force abandonment. If father bluebird hadn't summoned me and had their fellow Avian residents not made such a fuss the outcome not so happy.
@@notesfromleisa-land Fascinating tale, Elle. Sixty percent of songbird nestlings are fated to be food. That's why songbirds have to raise 2-3 broods a season just to keep their species numbers stable. Nature has that much worked out. But I get it that you're partial to your Bluebirds, and I'm impressed by your tenacity (and success) at saving that brood.Good going!
What a wonderful upload, dear Jo❣️❣️❣️ Thanks for sharing, my new friend !😘 Liked and enjoyed really enormously !!😍👍148 Wish You a happy week !☀️ Many kind greetings🌸 Arlette
You're lucky, Chuck. Not that many people get them in their yards. I'll also do a movie about the adults feeding juveniles. Our pair has started its second brood of the year.
Just had a couple of these brown thrashers best in one of my trees. I saw a baby the other day but the mom went crazy she didn’t want me near the best so I left.
Babies already? I wouldn't have expected that. Did you see the other Brown Thrasher movie I posted, the one about fledglings? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html
I live in south GA. And I just place a bird feeder outside. What a surprise! I never tough in the diversity of bird species around the suburbs. Now I’m interested in ornithology Lol.
I'm excited for you, Jose. There are so many possibilities. If you're a subscriber, you can browse through my films for ideas on what birds you might see, (My movies aren't all about yard birds, but many of my videos were filmed in our yard.) I suggest you check out the two part series on how to attract birds to your yard in the winter.
I'm not sure if I buy that or not about the mockingbirds being better? I've got a Thrasher that calls my backyard home and he's been letting an impressive long list of calls fly for the past couple of weeks. I was just telling a friend recently that he had the mockingbirds beat hands down. He has some of the same calls but then goes on with a crazy list of different calls that are amazing and seem to be originals. I don't know that for fact but I'm going to leave who's best on the table for now. Maybe I just have a rockstar living with me. lol
Hey, Bee Bop, I enjoyed your description of your local Brown Thrasher. Both species have an impressive variety of songs, and I don't recognize much of what either one of them do. But I can pick out more recognizable song in the Mocker's repertoire than in the Thrasher's. And I've read that the Mockingbird does more recognizable stuff. But anytime I hear a Thrasher's double dip song, it lifts my spirits. As for which species does more accurate renditions, we disagree, but so what? Enjoy your rockstar.
My dogs attacked a pair of Thrashers. Only one survived but is wounded and is might be a teen due the the black eyes. The nearest wild life rehabs are not currently open due to covid19. Any advice how to care for it till it has the strength to fly away?
Try dried mealworms may be mixed with High quality grape jelly. I am no expert on the care of injured birds, but I know that thrashers like mealworms and fruit.
@@micahnewman Glad you liked it. Those Brown Thrashers do grab me. I'm filming Swamp Sparrows at the creek in our woods these days, but if a Brown Thrasher shows up, I just gotta get another snippet of video of him--although I've already done three movies about the species.
For a Brown Thrasher lover: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZGlDEBeS4H8.html and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6UEmN2kvXVw.html. You asked a good question. You'll find the answer in the second link. Hearing from my viewers and responding to their comments is a pleasure. Unfortunately I must forgo answering comments for awhile because the rotator cuff tear in my left arm is healing slowly, and I just learned that I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right arm. I seem to have a body made out of spare parts- made on the cheap in China. So I won’t be answering comments before the beginning of August, if then. But if there’s something you’d like to tell me, please do so. I’ll be interested in what you have to say. It’s just that you’ll have to guess at what I would have answered. (I’ll be pasting this answer to every comment I get for the next few weeks.) I made an exception to the foregoing announcement because of your question.
It's been too long since I watched the movie for me to get the reference. But I'm guessing that Jimmy said everything two times--like the thrasher. But I bet Jimmy wasn't as handsome.
