Long-billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

cuitlacoche pico largo

Voice: Calls include a whistled “deeooip,” a loud “chuk,” and a dry rattle. The song is varied and musical.

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Status: Fairly common resident in densely forested regions of the Valley. Most common in wildlife refuges along the Rio Grande corridor. Although often heard, Long-billed Thrashers may stay hidden for long periods. During the breeding season, males may be spotted singing from treetops; sometimes heard “thrashing” while foraging on forest floor.

Habitat: Long-billed Thrashers require fairly large tracts of dense woodland habitat.

Best Spots: Found in forested areas (and feeding stations) at Bentsen SP, Santa Ana NWR, Sabal Palm Grove, and Laguna Atascosa NWR.

Similar Species: Most closely resembles Brown Thrasher, a rare migrant and winter visitor to the Valley. Compared to Brown Thrasher, Long-billed Thrasher has longer-bill, grayer face, and darker upperparts. Differs from Curve-billed Thrasher (the only other thrasher in range) in both plumage and habitat: Long-billed is more heavily streaked below and is found in woodlands (while Curve-billed prefers dry thornscrub thickets and urban areas).

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Long-billed Thrasher - Range Map

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