Long-billed Thrasher Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A large songbird with a long tail and a long, slightly curving bill. It has short wings and strong, fairly long legs.

  Relative Size

  Slightly larger than a Northern Mockingbird, slightly smaller than a Common Grackle.

  robin-sized

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 10.2-11.4 in (26-29 cm)
    • Weight: 2.4 oz (68 g)
    • Wingspan: 13.0 in (33 cm)

  © Shawn Billerman / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Long-billed Thrashers are rich brown above with spotty white wingbars, and heavy black streaking on white underparts. The face is grayish, with an orange eye.

• Behavior

  Searches for insects by clearing leaves and other vegetation with the bill and feet. Also plucks berries from vegetation while perched, usually low in brush or trees. Males sing from conspicuous perches in early spring.
• Habitat

  Lives year-round in brushy habitats of southern Texas, especially in remnants of original habitat (known as Tamaulipan brushlands) but also in developed areas, so long as adequate brush and leaf litter are present.