Is this an angry bird or what? In fact, he looks like he is ready to tear into anybody that messes with him. He is the Curve-billed Thrasher, (Toxostoma curvirostre). Rest assured, he only looks like that way. There is no record of any attack on a human by this ferocious looking individual of the avian world. Even his voice is more of a tweet than a growl.
Curve-billed Thrasher
I took these images of him while visiting the bird blind at San Angelo State Park on Monday morning. You may remember that was the day that I left Ann at home to do the house-cleaning. He was under some shrubs near the blind, but would scurry out periodically to peck around in the grass. He spends most of his life in the desert southwest.
Curve-billed Thrasher
The photos were taken with my Canon EOS 7D and 100-400mm zoom lens. The first two images exposed at 1/1250 sec. @ f8, ISO 640. The bottom at 1/500 sec. @ f8, ISO 1600.
Curve-billed Thrasher
Update: Ann’s cataract surgery on her left eye went off perfectly and she will be out birding with me in the next day or two. She sends her thanks to all of you that had her in your thoughts. She will have the same thing done to her right eye in a couple of weeks.
Click on any image to see an enlargement.
I really like this bird, Bob! He has character, grumpy or not! By the way, I was looking at Karen’s (Karma) comment! I have been working through the ‘Angry Birds’ game on my phone (sounds an odd thing to do)! It’s great fun but I keep getting stuck! Don’t recognise any of the birds on it though!
Cheers
John
I have never played that game, but I have heard about it. 🙂
Angry birds! LOL! Have you ever seen these guys? http://www.angrybirds.com/
I had heard about them. I will check them out. Thanks for the comment, Karen. 🙂
Bob, I love how these birds are hidden in your images. Please tell Ann, I don’t like being left home to do housework. Did you cook her dinner when you returned? LOL! Great photos!
I had to spring for dinner. Thanks, Martina. 🙂
Haha, he does seem to have quite an attitude! Wonderful set as always. Glad that Ann is doing well.
Thanks for the kind comment, Cindy. I always appreciate you. 🙂
Wow – he is an angry looking fellow, isn’t he?? I’m glad all went well with Ann’s surgery! 🙂
He is mean looking, but that is a false front. 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Holly. I appreciate it..
Very nice images of an interesting subject Bob. Sure wish we had them around here. I photographed my first Sage Thrasher of the season yesterday and it turns out it had a deformed bill – upper mandible shorter and less curved than the lower.
It is a very unique bird to say the least. Thanks for the compliments, Ron.
Nice images, Bob. Pound for pound the Curve-billed Thrashers are the meanest looking, most intimidating birds I’ve seen. Glad to hear the surgery went well for Ann.
Thanks, Jim, I really appreciate it.
Awesome captures as usual Bob! He does look angry……and grumpy! LOL
Thanks, Donna. I really appreciate all of your comments. This guy gives new meaning to Angry Birds. 🙂
He does look a little fierce with the yellow eyes. Great Photos. So glad Ann’s surgery went off perfectly..Have a great day and best to your “better” half..lol.
Thanks, Syl. Ann’s surgery went really well. She is seeing 20/30 this afternoon and we went birding.
Great photos Bob, and I am glad to hear Ann is doing fine!!!
Many thanks, David. She is great and we went to look for photos already this afternoon.
Good shots Bob! I’m happy for Ann, say hello, she’s is part of your team! 🙂
Thanks, H.J., I’ll pass that on. 🙂
Superb pics of a very handsome bird. Glad to hear Ann is doing fine.
Thank you very much, Jo, I appreciate it.
The Thrasher does look angry, maybe it is just the intensity of its look. Lovely images Bob, love the habitat in the frames.
Glad to hear that Ann is doing well.
I agree,it is the intense look that gives them that fierce expression. Thanks, Mia.
The yellow eyes add to the menacing look!! xoxo
Yes, they definitely look mean. :-)xo