ExploreBirds

Curve-billed Thrasher

Toxostoma curvirostre

The Curve-billed Thrasher is a playful bird known for its long, curved bill. It loves to hop around in the desert, searching for tasty insects and fruits to eat.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The Curve-billed Thrasher has a warm gray-brown body with subtle streaking and bright orange-yellow eyes. Its most striking feature is a long, strongly downcurved bill, which is grayish-black. It also has a noticeably long tail.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyMimidaeGenusToxostoma
Curve-billed Thrasher
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Curve-billed Thrasher

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A thrasher’s nest is often hidden deep inside spiny cacti or thorny bushes!

Listen closely: male and female Curve-billed Thrashers sing duets, calling back and forth!

Their dazzling orange-yellow eyes glow, helping them spot tiny prey on the ground!

These birds love to take dust baths, fluffing their feathers to stay clean and healthy.

Special abilities

Ability

Curved Digger

Curve-billed Thrasher can use its strong, downcurved bill to expertly probe soil and flip debris to find prey.

Ability

Master Mimic

Curve-billed Thrasher can imitate various sounds, from other bird calls to mechanical noises, creating complex songs.

Ability

Thorn Nest Architect

Curve-billed Thrasher builds sturdy cup nests deep inside thorny plants, keeping its eggs and young safe.

Measurements & details

Length
23-29 cm
Wingspan
31-33 cm
Weight
0.06-0.09 kg
Lifespan
7-12 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
2-5
Incubation
12-15 days

Diet & Feeding

A tricky hunter, the Curve-billed Thrasher digs for insects and enjoys fruits and seeds!

Primary Foods

  • insects
  • spiders
  • cactus fruit
  • berries
  • small lizards

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

A common desert raptor that preys on many smaller birds.

eaten by

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

These snakes can ambush thrashers on the ground or raid nests.

eats

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia engelmannii

Consumes the sweet, fleshy fruits of this common desert cactus.

eats

Silky Ant

Formica subsericea

Digs in the soil to find and eat these ground-dwelling ants.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Curve-billed Thrasher?

23-29 cm

What is Curve-billed Thrasher's wingspan?

31-33 cm

How much does Curve-billed Thrasher weigh?

0.06-0.09 kg

How long does Curve-billed Thrasher live?

7-12 years

How fast can Curve-billed Thrasher move?

45 km/h

What does Curve-billed Thrasher eat?

A tricky hunter, the Curve-billed Thrasher digs for insects and enjoys fruits and seeds!

Where is Curve-billed Thrasher usually found?

Desert

How does Curve-billed Thrasher hunt?

Foraging

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