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Crissal Thrasher

ID Info
Silhouette ThrashersThrashers
Crissal ThrasherToxostoma crissale
  • ORDER: Passeriformes
  • FAMILY: Mimidae

Basic Description

A lanky, gray-brown bird of desert washes, the Crissal Thrasher generally stays hidden and close to the ground as it probes for insects and seeds with its long, curved bill. It is easily mistaken for a Curve-billed Thrasher with its long tail and light orange eyes, except for a subtle black-and-white mustache, rich cinnamon patch under the tail, and pale, unspotted belly. Its mellow, musical song makes it one of the finest desert songsters.

More ID Info
image of range map for Crissal Thrasher
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

Crissal Thrashers are furtive by nature and forage within thorny desert vegetation, usually on the ground, where they are hard to see. The best way to find them is to listen for males singing in late winter and spring (they also sometimes sing in autumn). At other times, look for them foraging at the base of a bush or running across an opening in the vegetation.

Other Names

  • Cuitlacoche Culirrojo (Spanish)
  • Moqueur cul-roux (French)
  • Cool Facts