The curve-billed thrasher, a common thrasher in the cactus-rich Sonoran Desert, can be seen perched on saguaro or cholla cactus, calling loudly in two or three notes, whit-wheet. It often nests in the cholla cactus. Toxisoma curvirostre is a medium-sized mimid found in most of Mexico and the southwestern US deserts. It is a non-migratory species and is the most common desert thrasher. These birds belong to the Mimidae family.
Quick Overview: Toxostoma Curvirostre – Curve-Billed Thrasher
Body size: A length around 9.5-11.5in (24-29cm) and a weight of 79 g (2.8 oz)
Main colors: Brown, Black, Orange-yellow
Range: Desert region of the United States
Migratory Bird: No
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: All Year (January – December)
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Curve-billed thrasher Description
The sexes are equal. Medium thrasher with brown upperparts and round, blurred underpart spots. These species of bird have distinct whitish wing bars. The tail’s pale tips vary between subspecies. Bill is long, black, and decurved. The eye is orange-yellow. Adult birds have more distinct spotting, while juveniles have shorter, less decurved bills.
Size
These birds have a length of 9.5-11.5in (24-29cm) and a weight of 79 g (2.8 oz). Their wings could range from 9-14 in (36 cm).
Feeding
Insects are found under dead leaves and other debris. It feeds on insects, cacti seeds, prickly pear fruit, and berries.
Habitat
The curve-billed thrasher prefers cholla, mesquite, or palo verde clumps. It will choose dense urban areas if suitable nesting areas are nearby.
Behavior
Curve-billed thrasher is the thrasher with the most unusual personality out of all of them. These birds are not a shy bird, and while flying from shrub to shrub, it broadcasts its call “whit-wheet” loudly and repeatedly.
Toxostoma Curvirostre Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Aves
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- Family: …
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Best time of the year to see
In the United States, the best time of year to see these birds is all year round, regardless of the season. This refers to any month of the year between January and December.
Distribution of the Curve-billed thrasher in the USA
Curve-billed thrasher is a loud-calling bird that flies from shrub to shrub found in Arizona, Colorado, northeastern New Mexico, western and central Texas, and south to Mexico. Curve-billed thrasher is the most eccentric of the thrashers.
The Curve-billed thrasher can be found in the following states in the United States – Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
