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    California Thrasher Identification

    California Thrasher

    Large, long-tailed songbird with a long curved bill. Brownish above and brownish to peachy below depending on lighting conditions. Often runs along the ground with a raised tail.

    © Joan Tisdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 02, 2017
    California Thrasher

    Forages primarily on the ground by tossing its long bill in arcs to uncover insects buried in leaf and ground litter. Note long, downward curved bill, white throat, and dark eye.

    © Paul Fenwick | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 20, 2016
    California Thrasher

    Song is a long series of warbled, variable phrases, some musical and others harsh; each element may be repeated once or twice.

    © Brian L Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 03, 2011
    California Thrasher

    Large and long-tailed songbird with a long curved bill. Brown above with a white throat and pale peachy washed underparts.

    © Luke Seitz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 09, 2017
    California Thrasher

    Sings almost year-round from the tops of shrubs.

    © Peter Hawrylyshyn | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 09, 2017
    California Thrasher

    © Brian L Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 03, 2011
    California Thrasher

    Found in lowland and coastal chaparral, riparian woodland thickets, and parks and gardens with dense shrubs.

    © Kris Ohlenkamp | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 10, 2017
    California Thrasher

    © Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 1997
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    Adult Description

    • Large, long-tailed songbird.
    • Grayish brown all over.
    • Long, down-curved bill.
    • Reddish brown underside.

    Immature Description

    Similar to adult, but generally duller, with less distinct features and fewer contrasts than in adult.
    Relative Size

    Relative Sizerobin sizedrobin-sized
    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 12.6 in (32 cm)
      • Weight: 2.8-3.3 oz (78-93 g)
      • Wingspan: 12.2 in (31 cm)

    Species in This Family

    Mockingbirds and Thrashers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Mimidae)

    Gray CatbirdGray Catbird
    Curve-billed ThrasherCurve-billed Thrasher
    Brown ThrasherBrown Thrasher
    Long-billed ThrasherLong-billed Thrasher
    Bendire's ThrasherBendire's Thrasher
    California ThrasherCalifornia Thrasher
    LeConte's ThrasherLeConte's Thrasher
    Crissal ThrasherCrissal Thrasher
    Sage ThrasherSage Thrasher
    Northern MockingbirdNorthern Mockingbird

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