California Thrasher

California Thrasher, adult; Ventura Co., CA

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Menu

1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A long-tailed bird of the chaparral, the California Thrasher is found only in California and Baja California.

Description

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

• Size: 32 cm (13 in)
• Wingspan: 31 cm (12 in)
• Weight: 78-93 g (2.75-3.28 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song is a long series of warbled, variable phrases, some musical and other harsh, which may be repeated once or twice. Call a dry "chak."

Conservation Status

Relatively common. Loss of habitat to clearing, urban and suburban development, and agriculture constitute the most serious threats to populations.

Other Names

Moqueur de Californie (French)
Cuitlacoche Californiano (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The California Thrasher is the largest of the thrashers.

Sources used to construct this page:

Cody, M. L. 1998. California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum). In The Birds of North America, No. 323 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.