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. Of the large thrashers of the arid Southwest, the Curve-billed is the most common and well known.
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
The Curve-billed Thrasher feeds on a wide variety of insects, spiders, small lizards, seeds, and fruits. It forages mainly on the ground by probing and sweeping leaf litter or soil with its long curved bill, and it frequently eats cactus fruits and other desert berries.
Behavior
The Curve-billed Thrasher is an active, inquisitive bird that spends much of its time foraging on the ground beneath shrubs, cacti, and desert vegetation. It uses its long, curved bill to probe soil, leaf litter, and crevices for insects, spiders, seeds, and fruits. Unlike some more secretive thrashers, it often perches conspicuously on cacti, fence posts, utility lines, or shrubs and can be quite bold around human habitation. Pairs frequently remain together throughout the year and vigorously defend territories against other thrashers and intruders.
Breeding
Non-breeder in South Dakota. In range, the nest is a large cup of twigs, grasses, feathers, and other material, usually built in a cactus such as a cholla cactus, or sometimes in a shrub or small tree. The female lays between 2 and 4 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. Upon hatching, both parents help to feed the young. They will often raise more than one brood per breeding season.
Song
The Curve-billed Thrasher has a rich, varied song made up of repeated whistles, chuckling phrases, and sharp call notes often delivered from exposed perches. One of my favorite sounds of the Sonoran desert is their distinctive metallic whit-WHEET that carries well across desert habitats..
Migration
The Curve-billed Thrasher is generally nonmigratory and remains year-round throughout its range in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Most individuals maintain permanent territories and make only short local movements in response to food availability, drought, or seasonal conditions. Unlike many North American songbirds, the species does not undertake regular long-distance migrations.
Similar Species
Sage Thrasher , Bendire's Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher. The Curve-billed Thrasher is distinguished by its strongly curved bill, pale orange eyes, and relatively spotted breast. Sage Thrasher is smaller with a straighter bill, heavily streaked underparts, and gray-brown overall coloration, while Bendire's Thrasher has a more slender, less curved bill and plainer underparts with little spotting. Crissal Thrasher appears darker and richer brown overall with a longer tail, deeper curved bill, and warm rusty undertail area rather than the spotted chest of the Curve-billed Thrasher.
Conservation Status
The Curve-billed Thrasher remains fairly common across much of its desert and thornscrub range in the southwestern United States and Mexico and is generally considered a species of low conservation concern. However, localized habitat loss from urban expansion, agriculture, and changes to desert vegetation can affect some regional populations. The Curve-billed Thrasher is listed as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
Bird Feeders
Will come to feeders for fresh fruit.
Photo Information
September 13th, 2006 -- Near Tucson, Arizona -- Terry Sohl
Interactive eBird Map
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