The Northern Thrush is the state bird of Tennessee, known for its vocal versatility and gray appearance with white stripes on black wings. They build nests out of twigs, leaves, and litter, and males play a primary role in caring for young. Once rare due to popularity as a cage bird, they are now common across North America.
Tennessee’s state bird is the Northern Thrush, which was chosen as the official state bird of Tennessee in 1933. Scientifically known as Mimus polyglottos, these birds are perhaps best known for their incredible vocal versatility. Their songs often mimic the songs of other birds, and a single song of thrushes can incorporate elements of the songs of many other species at once. The Tennessee state bird is usually gray, with a more whitish breast and distinctive white stripes on black wings. Once rare in the wild due to its former popularity as a cage bird, the Northern Thrush is now considered common and usually found in open grasslands and cultivated areas.
Northern thrushes generally reach lengths of 8.3 to 10.2 inches (21 to 26 centimeters). It usually weighs between 1.6 and 2 ounces (45 to 58 grams). It usually builds a cup-shaped nest out of twigs, leaves, and grasses, but has been known to incorporate cigarette filters, shreds of thin plastic, and other litter into its nests.
Both males and females of the species contribute to nest construction. Males generally build most of the nest, as nest building is typically part of the northern thrush’s mating display. Males may build a number of nests, usually in trees or bushes 3 to 10 feet (0.9 to 3.05 meters) above the ground. The female will normally choose one of these nests, she will finish it by lining it with softer nesting materials and then lay up to five mottled brown eggs in it. The male of this species typically assumes a primary role in caring for the young, and the female Northern Thrush may, in fact, lay more eggs in a second nest while the male tends to the first clutch.
These birds typically sing more often at certain times of the year, and males typically sing much more often than females. Northern thrushes generally sing the most from February to August and September to November. The Tennessee state bird is known to sing all day and night. Males that have not found mates generally sing more often than mated males or females. Female Northern Thrushes usually sing more in the fall. They can sing during the summer months if their mate is absent.
The Northern Thrush is now considered to be common in the wild and can be found across much of North America, Mexico, and even parts of the Caribbean. In the 19th century, however, the Tennessee state bird was considered so popular as a cage bird that it almost disappeared from the wild. These birds were considered desirable for their large song repertoires.
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