Southwestern Thrashers

 Latest update: 2 Jan 2024

Thrashers are some of the most elusive and sought-after birds in the United States. Here in the extreme southwest the following species all breed: Bendire's, Curve-billed, California, Crissal, Le Conte's, and Sage. Their breeding ranges are summarized in the following table.

Species	Range
Bendire's Thrasher	Arizona - throughout the state in every county California - Mohave Desert
Curve-billed Thrasher	Arizona - southern and central part of the state from 600 - 5200 feet
California Thrasher	California - western mountains and coastline
Crissal Thrasher	Arizona - all but the far northeastern corner of the state California - southeast part of the state east of the Laguna Mountains
Le Conte's Thrasher	Arizona - southwest, south-central, and western counties California - south of Borrego Springs and in the Imperial Dunes
Sage Thrasher	Arizona - northern third of the state, north of the Grand Canyon and in the Navajo Nation

During March you may also find migrating Sage Thrashers in suitable habitat throughout Arizona and southern California; if there is enough food, these thrashers will also winter in central and southern Arizona.

In addition to our usual complement of thrasher species, an occasional vagrant Brown Thrasher appears almost annually somewhere in our area, giving an enterprising individual the opportunity to chase down seven species of thrashers in one day!

This introduction to our thrashers will give you some hints that may help you track down these birds, concentrating on identification, habitat, and reliable locations to look for them.

Habitat

Most of our thrashers prefer specific habitats, but as with other birds species, they may wander and be found wherever they can find suitable cover and food.

Species	Preferred Habitat
Bendire's Thrasher	The most widespread Arizona thrasher, found in Sonoran desertscrub associations, brushy grasslands, parks, and rural areas.
Curve-billed Thrasher	A wide range of desert habitat, including urban areas. Prefers nesting in cholla, but will also nest in low thorny shrubs.
California Thrasher	Chaparral and other dense brush in mountains and coastal areas
Crissal Thrasher	Thick shrubbery and dense mesquite stands, often along washes and drainages
Le Conte's Thrasher	Sparse, dry, flat deserts with scattered saltbrush, bursage, and other shrubs. Does not usually frequent well-watered Sonoran desert with cholla and saguaros.
Sage Thrasher	Known for being a sagebrush species, but can be found in almost any type of open shrublands

Best Spots to Look

There are many spots to look for these thrashers, but some locations are definitely easier than others! Here are some suggestions on where to spot these often elusive birds. In some cases your can click on the underlined links to take you to more detailed information on the birding sites.

Species	Where to Look
Bendire's Thrasher	Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), AZ: Check the washes crossing King Valley Road, about 2 miles east of Hwy 95. One pair frequently nests close to where the dirt road cuts off to Horse Tanks. East of Phoenix (Salome Highway and Baseline Road): Look in the mesquite and brushy desert west of this intersection in the early spring for these thrashers. But note, some years they seem much more common than others.
Curve-billed Thrasher	Phoenix, AZ: Check any of the parks, open spaces, or neighborhoods which have chollas growing in them. Tucson: Sonora National Monument or any of the cactus-filled yards on the north side of Tucson have plenty of these common thrashers.
California Thrasher	Jacumba, CA: There is a resident pair close to the pond on the west side of Jacumba. Easy to approach and photograph, too. San Elijo Lagoon, CA: Take the trail from the end of Rios Ave down into the canyon. The thrashers are often seen singing from atop a bush or a tree in the chaparral-lined hillside, especially in the spring.
Crissal Thrasher	Yuma West Wetlands, AZ: Very easy to spot on a walk on the west side of the Yuma West Wetlands, especially in early spring, and then again in the fall when the young are running about. Kofa NWR, AZ: Along with a number of other thrasher species, the Crissals like the thick brush in Kofa Queen Canyon.
Le Conte's Thrasher	East of Phoenix (Salome Highway and Baseline Road): Look in the mesquite and brushy desert west of this intersection in the late winter for these thrashers. But note, some years they seem much more common than others. This is the default location which most searchers look for these birds, due mainly to its proximity to Phoenix. Tacna, AZ: I've always had better luck finding Le Conte's in the area 5 miles west and 2 miles north of Tacna, in the huge fields of four-wing saltbush. February and March are the easiest months, when the birds will often perch and sing. As with other thrashers, a scope may be helpful.
Sage Thrasher	Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), AZ: Check the washes crossing King Valley Road in early to mid-March, when these birds are at the peak of their northward migration. In northern Arizona, north of the Grand Canyon, check sagebrush and shrubby country in late March and April, when they are singing.

Identification Hints

Some of these thrashers look quite similar to each other. Many have the same build and they are all colored with earth tones. The differences between a couple of the species are quite subtle. But a combination of voice, habitat, and these ID keys should make the identification challenges a bit simpler.

Species	Identification Hints
Bendire's Thrasher	Quite similar to Curve-billed Thrasher, but with a fairly straight lower mandible. But beware young Curve-billed Thrashers in the summer, which also have a fairly straight bill. Look for small triangular spots on the breast. The song is diagnostic, songs and calls can be found here: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Toxostoma-bendirei
Curve-billed Thrasher	Similar to Bendire's Thrasher, but has less distinct, more roundish spots on the breast and a more curved bill. This is the most common thrasher in urban settings, and is the least shy of all the thrashers. The two part whistle call from this thrasher is diagnostic and frequently heard: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Toxostoma-curvirostre
California Thrasher	The largest of the thrashers, it is 12" in length. Large-billed and long-tailed, with a dark eye-line, buffy breast without spots, and a dark iris. It is the only thrasher likely to be seen in the mountain and coastal chaparral of California. Calls can be found here: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Toxostoma-redivivum
Crissal Thrasher	Another large thrasher with buffy underparts and a large curved bill. Look for the rufous undertail coverts. Be on the look-out for similar-shaped Abert's Towhees flying low and quick from bush to bush--make sure you see the long bill to confirm your ID! Calls and songs are at: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Toxostoma-crissale
Le Conte's Thrasher	This light tan thrasher has a long curved bill, tawny undertail coverts, and dark eyes. It's the palest of the thrashers, and also has a buffy un-spotted breast. Best looked for in the late winter, when it will sit up on a bush or a mesquite and sing. Often seen running along the ground with its tail cocked high in the air, from the cover of one bush to another. From a distance, may be confused with Sage Sparrows, who also scurry from bush to bush in the same manner. Calls and songs are at: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Toxostoma-lecontei
Sage Thrasher	This streaked thrasher with its white wing bars resembles a young mockingbird, especially from a distance. Luckily, there are no young mockingbirds around in March, when this bird is migrating through our area. The white-cornered tail, streaked underparts, and yellow eye are diagnostic. Prefers sage-like habitat and brushy areas, even during migration. Calls and songs are at: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Oreoscoptes-montanus