(Click on Picture to enlarge)
Field Marks: This big-headed, slim-tailed bird is slightly smaller than a robin, sits quietly on a wire, bush, or tree limb in the open. When it takes flight it drops low and progresses with a rapid motion on a straight course, rising to its next perch. It is gray above, white below, and has a conspicuous black mask on its face.
Voice: its song is halfhearted notes and phrases; repeated Mockingbird like, but deliberate, with long pauses. It sounds like it is saying "shack, shack" or tsurp-see, tsurp-see.
Where found: South Canada to South Mexico and Gulf States. Partial migrant. Both of these were photographed in Ft Bend County, Texas. The one on the right recently was seen in First Colony along the bayou.
Texas: Winters (Oct-Apr) throughout. Breeds in the east half of State. Can be found also throughout the Panhandle, Staked Plains, and Trans-Pecos. The spring of 1998 I got to observe two young, which fledged at the VA Medical Center and was able to walk within 1.5 feet of them while they sat in a small tree. Was not able to photograph them there as photography on our property is by permission only.
Habitat: Open country with scattered trees, roadsides, scrub, deserts, etc.
Nest: A twiggy cup in bush or tree. Eggs are 4-6 and spotted.