The wood thrush is a North American passerine bird. It is closely related to other thrushes such as the American robin and is widely distributed across North America, wintering in Central America and southern Mexico. The wood thrush is the official bird of the District of Columbia.
The wood thrush is a medium-sized thrush, with brown upper parts with mottled brown and white underparts. The male and female are similar in appearance. The song of the male is often cited as being the most beautiful in North America.
The wood thrush is an omnivore, and feeds preferentially on soil invertebrates and larvae, but will also eat fruits. In the summer, it feeds on insects continuously in order to meet daily metabolic needs. It is solitary, but sometimes forms mixed-species flocks. The wood thrush defends a territory that ranges in size from 960 to 33,490 sq yards. The wood thrush is monogamous, and its breeding season begins in the spring; about 50% of all mated pairs are able to raise two broods, ranging in size from two to four chicks.
The wood thrush has been reported to have one of the most beautiful songs of North American birds.
While the female is not known to sing, the male has a unique song that has three parts. The first subsong component is often inaudible unless the listener is close, and consists of two to six short, low-pitched notes such as bup, bup, bup. The middle part is a loud phrase often written ee-oh-lay, and the third part is a ventriloquial, trill-like phrase of non-harmonic pairs of notes given rapidly and simultaneously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc
The male is able to sing two notes at once, which gives its song an ethereal, flute-like quality. Each individual bird has its own repertoire based on combinations of variations of the three parts. Songs are often repeated in order. The bup, bup, bup phrase is also sometimes used as a call, which is louder and at a greater frequency when the bird is agitated. The wood thrush also use a tut, tut to signal agitation. The nocturnal flight call is an emphatic buzzing heeh.
The wood thrush's breeding range extends from Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia in southern Canada to northern Florida and from the Atlantic coast to the Missouri River and the eastern Great Plains. It migrates to southern Mexico through to Panama in Central America in the winter. It generally arrives on the US Gulf Coast the first week of April. Fall migration begins in mid August and continues through September. Migration takes place at night, allowing them to find their direction from the stars.
Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to chipmunks, raccoons, blue jays, American crows, black rat snakes, gray squirrels, weasels, white-footed mice, domestic cats, great horned owls, and hawks. Adults are primarily taken by hawks and owls.
Bourbon chicken can be found on Chinese takeout menus and mall food courts across the country. But did you know it actually got its name from Bourbon Street in New Orleans? Whether you're serving it Mardi Gras-style or with an Asian twist, this flavorful chicken dish is simply delicious and incredibly easy to make. Give these Bourbon Chicken Bites a try when you're craving something that tastes like perfection!
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup jalapeno pepper jelly
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- In a medium bowl, combine chicken, cornstarch, garlic powder, ground red pepper, and salt; toss to coat well.
- In a large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add coated chicken in batches and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden and no pink remains, stirring frequently.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring jelly, soy sauce, and bourbon to a boil. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until jelly has melted, stirring constantly. Add chicken and toss to coat. Serve hot.
***Our Bourbon Chicken goes great with a bowl of delicious fried rice: https://www.mrfood.com/Potatoes-Rice/Fast-Fried-Rice-3893
And births this date include.....
1916 – Martha Raye, American actress (d. 1994)
On August 27th, National Just Because Day offers up an opportunity to do stuff…just because. So feel free to celebrate this day any way you choose. Just because!
Every day we all do things that are expected or required of us. Sometimes we even do things because we have to do them; we don’t know why. Well, on this occasion, that does not apply. This day is a chance to do something without rhyme or reason.
- It could be that there is an outfit at the mall that you are admiring; buy it…just because.
- Maybe you want to use a vacation day just to go fishing; do it…just because.
- Perhaps you would like to pay the tab for the table next to you at your favorite restaurant; do it…just because.
- Possibly you want to sing really loud while you’re in your car, by yourself, with your windows rolled down; do it…just because.
- Surprise someone with flowers…just because!
- Make something up…just because!
- Or maybe, just maybe, do something just because Mom said so.
NATIONAL JUST BECAUSE DAY HISTORY
In the late 1950s, Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, California, created Just Because Day. It began as a family holiday and grew into an annual celebration across the United States.
