California Thrasher
Toxostoma redivivum
About This Species
Endemic to dense chaparral scrub and foothill canyons of California and Baja California, where it skulks low in cover and is more often heard than seen. Its long, down-curved bill and rich, mimicry-filled song, delivered from an exposed perch, are the best clues. Late winter into spring, when males sing regularly, offers the best chance of a good view.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Protected under both state wildlife law in California and federal migratory bird law in the United States.
- Standard birding distance is appropriate; avoid excessive pishing or playback near singing males in dense chaparral during the spring breeding season, when nests are hidden nearby in the scrub.
LCAvesPasseriformesMimidae
Seasonal Activity
367,526 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mimidae
Photo
(c) Pat Farris, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pat Farris
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.