Curve-billed Thrasher

Toxostoma curvirostre

The Curve-billed Thrasher is normally a bird of the arid Southwest, and only rarely ranges outside of that region.  They are extremely rare visitors to South Dakota.  They are less shy than some of the other Thrashers, and are even a common sight in residential areas of the Southwest, provided their favorite breeding site, cholla cacti, are available. 

Habitat: Found in desert habitats of the Sonoran desert, although it avoids the driest of locations with little or no vegetation.   Also found in arid brushlands of the Southwestern U.S., and in suburban areas.

Diet: Insects and berries. Also feeds on the seeds of prickly-pear and saguaro cactus.

Behavior: Primarily forages along the ground, digging in the soil with its beak, turning over rocks, or chasing insects.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Repeated clear warbling phrases. 

Migration: A permanent resident of the southwestern United States and Mexico, they rarely wander outside of their normal range.

Similar Species: Sage Thrasher

Status: Generally stable throughout most of its normal range. 

Feeders: Will come to feeders for fresh fruit.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Curve-billed Thrasher

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Curve-billed Thrasher"

3) eNature.com: Curve-billed Thrasher

Photo Information: September 13th, 2006 -- Near Tucson, Arizona -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Curve-billed Thrasher photos.