It's been six years since I have seen a California Thrasher and I was beginning to think they were never coming back. However today I heard an unusual bird call and it turned out to be a California Thrasher. They are easy to identify as they have a long beak.
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| California Thrasher |
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| California Thrasher |
Your thrashers have more interesting markings than those few I've seen here in Albuquerque. Ours do have a beautiful song that can be heard a block away. I know then to look for a big cholla cactus and likely see a handsome male bird sitting atop it, calling for a lady to come visit him. If he is successful, they nest among the needles. The first thrashers I ever saw were at a higher elevation here in the city, south of the University on a street that featured several big cholla cactus "bushes". Finally 2 years ago I heard and saw a singing thrasher west of me here downtown. They may have been here all along, but it was time (spring) for me to see and photograph them. Nicely, I've also got some video of a male singing away... his plain appearance, nearly all brown with big eyes and that curved beak, makes his song more startling and beautiful. I bet your returning bird sounds just as good; he is already a little prettier around the eyes.
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