Bird Guide

Bendire's Thrasher vs Long-billed Thrasher

Bendire's Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei)

Bendire's Thrasher

Toxostoma bendirei

Medium62 gShrubland

Because of its similar coloration and structure to the curve-billed thrasher, the two birds are very easy to mistake for one another. The Bendire's thrasher's shorter bill is a distinguishing feature when comparing mature birds, but it is still easy to misidentify an adult Bendire's thrasher as a young curve-billed thrasher as its beak has not grown to a mature length. The Bendire's thrasher's yellow eyes and pale-based lower mandible are additional markings which aid in separation from the curve-billed thrasher. Voice: Like other mimids, the often silent Bendire's thrasher incorporates the songs and calls of other species into its own songs. A sharp "chek" is the species' most common call.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Bendire's Thrasher
Recorded by Chrissy Kondrat · Call · Wittmann, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States · CC0
Photo: Jason Leduc · CC0
Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre)

Long-billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

Medium68 gShrubland

This bird is slender and long-tailed, averaging 26.5–29 cm (10.5–11.5 in) in length and about 70 g (2.5 oz) in weight. It is a large-sized thrasher that is close in size to the American robin. T. longirostre ssp. sennitti is described with a grayish-brown crown with a rufous color appearing in the back, rump, rear, and shoulder. Broad white tips located on the greater and lesser primary coverts and dullish-brown with rufous brown edges on the primary and secondary coverts gives the closed wings a rufous appearance. Voice: The song is warbling and resembles other thrashers' songs but is especially rich and musical, though occasionally scratchy. Phrases are often repeated two to four times.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: er-birds · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bendire's Thrasher and Long-billed Thrasher.