THRASHERS

LeConte’s Thrasher

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Toxostoma lecontei

The LeConte's Thrasher, a large songbird with a very long tail and very long curved bill is the palest thrasher found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

The LeConte's Thrasher is a large songbird measuring 9.4 - 11 inches in length and 55 - 76 grams in weight. They are pale sandy grayish brown overall, with a darker tail, a rusty or peachy wash under the tail, and a thin dark line (malar stripe) bordering the throat. Eyes, legs, and bill are dark.

SONG: A series of soft warbles with long smooth notes.

Feeds mostly on insects and spiders, but will also sometimes eat fruits and berries. They will also take small vertebrates like small lizards.

Found in arid habitats with scattered shrubs. They can be found in more open habitats than some other southwestern thrasher species, such as sparsely vegetated desert areas with scattered shrubs.

A resident from southern Arizona to south-western Colorado to the Texas coast, and southwards to southern Mexico.

The nest is a large cup of twigs and thorns, lined with softer material such as grasses and leaves. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. After hatching, both parents help to feed the young.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://www.allaboutbirds.org
https://www.sdakotabirds.com