Bendire's Thrasher

Bendire's Thrasher is one of the least common and less conspicuous thrashers of the southwestern deserts, closely resembling the more familiar Curve-billed Thrasher but differing in subtle but useful ways. It favors open desert grassland with scattered cactus and yucca rather than the denser cactus stands preferred by Curve-billed Thrasher.

Plumage is grayish-brown overall, with pale yellowish eyes and a shorter, straighter bill than most other thrashers, plus small, neat, arrowhead-shaped spots forming rows across the breast.

Key field marks

• Shorter, straighter bill than Curve-billed Thrasher
• Pale yellowish eyes
• Small, distinct, arrowhead-shaped breast spots arranged in rows
• Grayish-brown upperparts

Similar species

Curve-billed Thrasher has a longer, more strongly downcurved bill, orange-red eyes, and fainter, more diffuse breast spotting. Sage Thrasher is smaller with heavier, bolder overall streaking and bright yellow eyes. Careful attention to bill shape and eye color separates Bendire's from its similar relatives.

Habitat

Bendire's Thrashers favor open desert grassland and scrub with scattered cactus, yucca, and mesquite, generally more open habitat than the dense cactus stands used by Curve-billed Thrasher.

Range

The species breeds in the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona with smaller numbers in adjacent New Mexico, southeastern California, and southern Nevada, extending into northern Mexico.

Migration

Bendire's Thrashers are largely resident, though some populations may shift locally or withdraw somewhat in winter, and the species' overall range and numbers appear to be contracting in parts of its distribution.

Behavior

Bendire's Thrashers forage on the ground, probing soil and leaf litter for insects, and also eat seeds and berries; they tend to be somewhat less bold and conspicuous than Curve-billed Thrasher.

Voice

The song is a long, warbling series of musical phrases, generally softer and less harsh than some other thrasher songs; the call is a distinctive low "chuck" or soft whistled note.

Nesting

Nests are built low in cactus, yucca, or thorny shrubs, constructed as a compact cup. Females lay 2-4 pale blue-green eggs, typically with fine speckling.