Toxostoma crissale

Description:

The Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) is a common local thrasher. This is their normal call, which is reminiscent of a Mockingbird with a limited repertoire. They do mimic, though, which you'll hear in the next selection! Thrashers are, in my experience, secretive birds which are seen darting from bush to bush, or feeding on the ground in heavy brushy areas, but they'll often climb high in a Mesquite or Hackberry to call and sing. This individual was at Peck's Lake [Arizona] in the Mesquite scrub.