- Toxostoma redivivum
Identification
28–32 cm (11-12½ in)
- Dark brown upperparts
- Paler grey-brown underparts
- Finely streaked face
- Buff throat patch
- Long tail
- Reddish-brown undertail coverts
- Dark iris
- Very long black, decurved bill
- Grey-brown legs and feet
Sexes similar
Similar Species
Crissal Thrasher of Colorado Desert lacks pale supercilium and has deep rust-colored crissum. Ranges do not overlap. LeConte's Thrasher is smaller and paler, also lacks supercillium; prefers sparsely vegetated arroyos and gullies.
Variations
Northern populations are darker and browner (less gray).
Distribution
Northern California south to northern Baja California.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
This is a polytypic species consisting of two subspecies:
- T. r. sonomae:
- Chaparral belt of northern California (south to Monterey)
- T. r. redivivum:
- Chaparral belt of southern California and north-western Baja California
A third subspecies pasadenensis is generally considered invalid[4].
Habitat
Chaparral, Riparian, foothills mixed woods and dense shrubs. Creeks and lake shores. Also residential areas.
Behaviour
Actions
Runs on the ground with tail cocked. Inconspicuous except when singing.
Diet
The diet includes beetles, spiders, bugs and fruits.
Breeding
Both sexes build the nest which is hidden dense vegetation. The eggs are incubated for 14 days; the young fledge 14-17 days later.
Vocalisation
Song consists of vigorous phrases variously repeated, delivered in a continuous sequence with brief pauses between successive sequences. Females also sing and may pairs may counter-sing. Calls include a low harsh chuck and a loud throaty quip.
Movements
Resident with limited dispersal of young.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Cody, M. L. (2020). California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.calthr.01
- Cody, M. (2020). California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/58209 on 3 April 2020).
- Lepage D. (2021) [Avibase - https://avibase.ca/20748450 ]. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- Whatbird.com
- Audubon Field Guide
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) California Thrasher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/California_Thrasher
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
