World Birding Center

Long-billed Thrasher /cuitlacoche pico largo (Toxostoma longirostre)

Voice: Calls include a whistled “deeooip,” a loud “chuk,” and a dry rattle. The song is varied and musical.

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Status: Fairly common resident in densely forested regions of the Valley. Most common in wildlife refuges along the Rio Grande corridor. Although often heard, Long-billed Thrashers may stay hidden for long periods. During the breeding season, males may be spotted singing from treetops; sometimes heard “thrashing” while foraging on forest floor.

Habitat: Long-billed Thrashers require fairly large tracts of dense woodland habitat.

Best Spots: Found in forested areas (and feeding stations) at Bentsen SP, Santa Ana NWR, Sabal Palm Grove, and Laguna Atascosa NWR, common year round in brush area, especially Hunters lane, of Resaca de la Palma State Park

Similar Species: Most closely resembles Brown Thrasher, a rare migrant and winter visitor to the Valley. Compared to Brown Thrasher, Long-billed Thrasher has longer-bill, grayer face, and darker upperparts. Differs from Curve-billed Thrasher (the only other thrasher in range) in both plumage and habitat: Long-billed is more heavily streaked below and is found in woodlands (while Curve-billed prefers dry thornscrub thickets and urban areas).

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All Bird call recordings © John C. Arvin.

Call (956) 584-2731 to hear or submit an alert.

Nine Unique Locations

A Birder's Eye View of the Seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Welcome to a birder’s eye view of the seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy our annual cycle! The resulting avifauna in deep South Texas is the most diverse north of the Mexican border. The four county area that makes up the lower Rio Grande Valley has recorded over 500 species of birds. This is more species of birds than have been recorded in all but two or three entire states. Small wonder that birders from across the continent make pilgrimages to the region. Happy Birding!

What is a checklist?

A "Bird Checklist" is a complete list of birds that have been seen or heard in a specific region like Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Checklists can be used as a personal diary of your travels.

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