Brown Thrasher genus toxostoma rufum

The brown thrasher is one of my favorite birds.The bird count for our area was near none when I first became interested in the bird.The melodies he sang were so beautiful that I ran through the woods looking for where this beautiful sound was coming from.I found the brown thrasher.His coloring is not really brown,it is a beautiful rusty brown color.His eyes,a strange yellowish color.I now have a pair that comes every spring the week of April 20th.They have had 1 baby in 2009 ,just 1 brood.Last year they had 2 broods,1 baby in each nest that suscessfully fledged.They are not very patient parents though.Once the baby can fly & is out of the nest,they want him gone.The baby in 2009 spent a whole day in our garage after his parents drove him there.The dh finally said if we don`t help him get out,he`ll die,so we did,& he flew off.
Last year was a dry year,& I had upturned a barrel of water,intending to hose it out,but didn`t when I discovered tree frogs in it.So,I`m going over to the goats pen to give them fresh water,& I hear this,cheep,cheep.I thought,that sounds awful close,stood still & looked & looked,still could not spot this "new"voice.I drag the hose back again & check on my frogs,they weren`t there,in their place was a tiny brown thrasher baby.He had gotten inside,but was facing the bottom of the barrel,not knowing how to get out.I dumped him & he scuttled through the grass in the flower beds.I look up & see Mama watching all of this & I`m wondering,did she drive him in there to get a drink?So,I dutifully pull the hose back out & put just a small amt.of fresh water in the barrel & left it on its side.After all,babies can drown in an inch of water my mind was telling me,hah.They went on their merry way,her feeding the baby,then days later before his eyes turned color,she was driving him out of the yard.