Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)
Curve-billed Thrasher

Curve-billed Thrasher

Toxostoma curvirostre

The Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is a medium-sized bird, a member of the Mimidae family, known for its distinctive sickle-shaped bill. It has a compact body with a large head, short wings, and a long tail, though not as elongated as those of other thrashers. The plumage is primarily grey-brown with circular brown-gray spots on the chest. Adult eyes are typically orange, shifting to golden with age, while juveniles exhibit less vibrant eye colors and lack the neatness of adult plumage.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Curve-billed Thrasher, look for its long tail, short wings, and notably curved bill, which is almost as long as the head is wide and brownish-black in color. The chest spots and the degree of curvature on the bill can help distinguish it from similar species. Juveniles can be identified by their unkempt abdominal feathers and the absence of pale tips on their rectrices.

Habitat

This thrasher is commonly found in desert regions, particularly where cholla and saguaro cacti, ocotillo, mesquites, palo verde, and creosote bushes are abundant. It can also inhabit woodland edges, piñon, and dry desert bushland. Proximity to human habitation is not a deterrent if there is sufficient desert vegetation and feeders available.

Distribution

The Curve-billed Thrasher is native to most of Mexico and the deserts of the southwestern United States. It is non-migratory and is the most common desert thrasher within its range. Its habitat spans from Arizona's Sonoran Desert across to west Texas and from the Sonoran-Chihuahuan Deserts south through the Mexican Plateau.

Behaviour

This thrasher is known for its rapid movement from cover to cover and its tendency to forage on the ground. It is not particularly shy and can be aggressive in defending its territory or food sources. The bird is also known for its ability to mimic the calls of other species, though not as extensively as other mimids.

Song & Calls

The Curve-billed Thrasher has a distinctive voice, with an abrupt and brash "whit-wheet" call. Its songs are melodious and varied, often repeated two or three times in succession, with some phrases being nasal and buzzy. Its extensive vocal repertoire has earned it the name "cuicacoche" or songbird in Mexico.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Curve-billed Thrasher begins in February, peaking between March and May, with fledglings recorded as late as August. Nests are typically built in conspicuous locations, with a preference for cholla cacti. Both sexes participate in nest building, which can range from a few days to several weeks. The nests are deep cups or flat with a depression, lined with smooth materials.

Similar Species

The Curve-billed Thrasher can be confused with Bendire's Thrasher due to similar coloration. However, differences in bill coloration, curvature, and eye color can aid in distinguishing the two. The Curve-billed Thrasher's spots on the chest are generally larger and rounder, and it is more likely to inhabit suburban areas.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivore, the Curve-billed Thrasher's diet includes invertebrates, vegetable matter, and fruits from various plants. It is a ground feeder, digging holes to search for food, and also consumes nectar from saguaro blossoms, serving as a pollinator in the process.

Conservation status

Despite a declining population, the Curve-billed Thrasher is currently rated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Curve-billed Thrasher Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Curve-billed Thrashers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Mockingbirds, Thrashers

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.