How to Spot a California Thrasher

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Look for the California Thrasher in both inland and coastal California west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can also find it in the northern parts of Baja, California. The California Thrasher lives in chaparral shrub land, woodland thickets, foothills, parks and gardens.
Step 2:
Marvel at the size of the California Thrasher. It measures between 11 and 13 inches in length. It weighs between 2.75 and 3.3 oz. and has a wingspan ranging from 12 to 16 inches across.
Step 3:
Observe the California Thrasher's appearance with dark gray-brown upper parts and pale gray-brown underparts. It has a long, fan-shaped tail that is dark in color with gray corners and reddish-brown feathers under the tail. This bird also has a long black down curved bill and a patch of buff on its throat. The California Thrasher's wings are rounded.
Step 4:
Listen to the sounds of the California Thrasher on the What Bird website. (See link in Resources.) The call of the California Thrasher contains low-pitched "chak" or "chuck" sounds. Their song consists of warbled, variable notes. Some of the notes in their song sound harsh and some sound musical.
Step 5:
Watch the California Thrasher in flight. This bird flies for long periods of time. Look for shallow and swift wing beats during flight.

Tips & Warnings

The California Thrasher is a good mimic of the sounds of other birds.
Look for the California Thrasher using its beak to dig through soil and piles of leaves looking for food.

Resources

Listen to a California Thrasher

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