Going through old images again from the past year or more. I decided to give some press time to this fierce looking bird.
Actually, the Curve-billed Thrasher isn’t really menacing. But you wouldn’t believe it by looking into the adult’s eyes. They are a bright reddish orange, and along with it’s curved bill, it looks downright mean. Also, it’s call is a meek sounding tweet, not a growl.
I took this image of an adult nearly a year ago as it was hunkered down in some grass.
Curve-billed Thrasher – adult
Last September I came across this juvenile, pictured below. At first I thought that it may have been a Sage Thrasher. Since it was photographed here in San Angelo, a ‘sage’ would been away from it’s usual area which is farther west. But after looking at it closely, I found that it was indeed a juvenile Curve-billed. Notice the paler, or yellow eyes that was one of the deciding marks of a younger bird.
Curve-billed Thrasher – juvenile
Curve-billed Thrasher – juvenile
Thanks for visiting my blog again. Click on any image to see some enlargements.
I think it’s the eyes. Those glowing, fixated eyes. He does seem in a rather foul mood. Nice work.
Yes, it is all in the eyes. Very fierce looking. Thanks for the comment, Shannon.
Hey Bob – Cracking shots of cheeky birds with the evil eye! Like them!
Cheers!
John
Thanks, John. I appreciate your comment.
Hey Bob – A right cheeky looking bird with the evil eye! Like them both!
This bird looks fierce indeed- very cool!
They sure do, Traci. Thanks for commenting.
Neat bird and photos, Bob. I’m always struck by how that dramatic bill looks so different from the bill of our Sage Thrasher.
Thanks for the comment, Ron. I also have some images of a Sage Thrasher, which I will post another day. They are not a regular visit to the San Angelo area, but are found farther into west Texas.
Bob,
I’m heading to Albuquerque in a couple of weeks. I hope to see some Curve-billed Thrashers while I am there.
That’s great, Dave. If you have the time during your visit, try to get to the Bosque Del Apache NWR south of Albuquerque down near Socorro. One of the best Wildlife Refuges around.
Nice photos of the Thrasher Bob. I like the low angle you were able to get on the birds. I like seeing the juvenile as well. It is great to be able to compare them closely.
Thank you very much, Alison, for your comment. I am glad that I thought to put both in this post. At first, I was only going to show the juvies.
In support of your ID, you can still see a bit of the yellow gape at the edges of the juvenile’s bill, showing that it is indeed a juvenile.
Thank you very much, Katie. I appreciate your input. Still, relative new as a birder, I tend to not explain as much as I should. I thank you for your additional details. I still need all the help that I can get.
Excellent blog, with very good and nice photos.
The thrusher is quite different I’ve seen from South America, it has an odd bill.
Maybe could be useful add if it was possible scientific name to the species, is helpfull to people living in other continents like me
Regrads
Hernán
You make a very good point, Hernan. The scientific name is “Toxostoma curvirostre”.
Maybe they eat lemons, which turn their eyes yellow and give them the sour expression? (Just kidding)
Could be, Jerry.
Would it be that he is looking glum? Thanks for the comment, Lisa.
I think it’s that curved bill that makes it look like it’s not happy! Great shots, Bob.