Mockingbirds and thrashers (Mimidae)
California Thrasher
Toxostoma redivivum. Insects and fruit dug from leaf litter with the long bill.
Mockingbirds and thrashers (Mimidae)California ThrasherToxostoma redivivum
- Scientific name
- Toxostoma redivivum
- Length
- 11–13 in
- Weight
- 2.1–3.2 oz
- Nest
- Bulky cup deep in dense shrubs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–4 eggs
- Incubation
- 14 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Large, dark-brown bird with a long decurved bill
- Dark eye and buffy undertail
- Long tail
Voice
Rich, repeated phrases — a western mockingbird-like song.
Diet and feeding
Insects and fruit dug from leaf litter with the long bill.
What do California thrashers eat? · Best feeder for California thrashers
California Thrashers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| California | Year-round resident | April |
Frequently asked
What do California thrashers eat?
Insects and fruit dug from leaf litter with the long bill. At feeders: raisins, suet (crumbled, on the ground).
How big is a California Thrasher?
11–13 in long and 2.1–3.2 oz.
Do California thrashers use birdhouses?
No. Bulky cup deep in dense shrubs.
Sources
- California Thrasher — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Thrasher life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Thrasher — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.