Curve-billed Thrasher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCurve-billed Thrasher
Long-bodied slim bird about the size of a robin with a long, curved bill. Grayish brown overall with a whitish throat and spotted belly.
© Scott Martin / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 23, 2016Long-tailed with a long, curved bill. Grayish brown overall with grayish flanks and pale peach undertail coverts. Note yellow eye.
© Dean LaTray / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 13, 2018Aptly named bird of the desert scrub regions. Drinks water from bird baths, dripping faucets, and areas where water collects.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArizona, November 01, 2001Long and slender with a curved bill. The underparts are spotted and the undertail coverts are a pale peachy color.
© Carl Giometti 🍹 / Macaulay LibraryCiudad de México, February 02, 2017Slender with a long curved bill and long tail. Grayish brown overall with a whitish throat and spotted underparts. Note yellow eye and pale peachy undertail coverts.
© Patrick Palines / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, January 04, 2020Forages on the ground using its bill and strong legs to toss vegetation out of the way in search of insects.
© Darryl Montgomery / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 25, 2017Found in thorny brush and scrublands, semi-desert areas (especially where mesquite or cholla cactus are present), shrubby areas, open brushy woodlands, and around towns.
© Tristan Herwood / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 24, 2017Similar SpeciesCrissal Thrasher
Adult
Crissal Thrashers have a plainer breast than Curve-billed Thrashers with chestnut under the tail and a darker mustache stripe.
© Dick Dionne / Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 20, 2010Similar SpeciesLeConte's Thrasher
Adult
LeConte's Thrashers are paler overall than Curve-billed Thrashers. They also lack spotting on the breast seen on Curve-billed Thrashers.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 18, 2016Similar SpeciesBendire's Thrasher
Adult
Bendire's Thrashers have a shorter and straighter bill than Curve-billed Thrashers.
© Griffin Richards / Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 24, 2015Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Mockingbirds and Thrashers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Mimidae)
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