Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre

All The Birds Of North America: Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre

Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre A resident of desert brushland in the Southwest, the Curve-billed Thrasher is often heard whistling from a perch or in flight; its distinctive call has an almost human quality. Like most other members of the mimic-thrush family, this species feeds on the ground'; it uses its long bill to toss leaf litter aside as it searches for insects.

Identification Grayish brown above with long tail; faintly spotted below. Bill long and downcurved; eyes yellow or orange. Juvenile similar but has shorter, straighter bill, dark eyes, and even paler spots below.

Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre Voice Call a whistled, loud whit-wheet?

Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre Habitat Brushy desert areas, especially with cactus and thorn scrub; also brushy desert streamsides and residential areas.

Range Breeds from central Arizona east to Texas and south to Mexico. Winters from southern part of breeding range southward.