LittleRed

Agree strongly with Jeff, this is a Long-billed Thrasher. They are almost identical to the Brown but the size and shape if it’s bill clearly shows it as a Long-billed. Also the colour of its eyes also indicate it as such. Normally the Brown’s eyes are more yellow while the Long-billed are a remarkable orange. Lastly is its location. San Antonio is not where you would normally see a Brown. A Brown in this area would be considered Rare while the Long-billed would not. By the way, great capture of a very beautiful bird.

LittleRed (Ron)

ShelbyDave Loc: Lone Rock, WI

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice catch, John! Where in San Antonio did you find it?

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Yep. Brown thrasher. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brnthr/cur/introduction

Ralph Bischoff

It is a "Brown Thrasher"

Zooman 1

Sage Thrasher, according to Stokes Field guide. The spotted underside seems to ID it from the other thrashers.

LittleRed

Sorry, this is not a Sage. The Sage’s streaking is not as pronounced as this bird and it’s beak is far too short and straight. Also a Sage is not found anywhere near San Antonia, it’s range in Texas is only in the very far west section, such as Big Bend NP. The Sage is primarily a desert bird, the main reason for its name.
Over the past few decades I’ve had the fortunate pleasure of photographing 7 of the 8 types of Thrashers in the USA so I know these birds quite well. The only one I’m missing is California Thrasher as I haven’t gotten far enough west.
For all youse bird photographers out there I highly recommend that if you have a mobile unit (cellphone, pad, etc) to download the app MERLIN which is excellent at IDing birds from photographs. Sadly this program is not available for desktop units. For example if you put the picture posted by John along with with his date and location into Merlin you’ll find that this bird is a Long-billed Thrasher.

LittleRed (Ron)

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Excellent portrait of the brown thrasher; you captured that unmistakeable, inimitable postural “attytood” characteristic of the thrashers!

Dave

Zooman 1

Thanks for the info. In the Stokes guide the photo was taken in New Mexico. Going through my files I found thrashers taken here(central Illinois) that have are spotted. Thanks again.

Zooman 1

Me again, I found that I missed the right page in the Stokes guide which has the correct info on the thrasher.
Sage thrasher ID, was my mistake.

jimfl938 Loc: Acworth, GA

Yep! A Brown Thrasher and the state bird for Georgia.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

Merlin App agrees . . .