Brown Thrasher vs Bendire's Thrasher

In short

Brown Thrasher and Bendire's Thrasher can be distinguished by habitat and bill shape. Brown Thrashers are found in the eastern U.S. in thickets and hedgerows, while Bendire's inhabit sparse desert areas in the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. Brown Thrashers have a longer, more curved bill compared to the shorter, straighter bill of Bendire's Thrasher.

Identification tips

• Bill shape: Brown Thrasher has a longer, more curved bill; Bendire's has a shorter, straighter bill.
• Habitat: Brown Thrasher in eastern U.S. thickets; Bendire's in southwestern U.S. deserts.
• Plumage: Brown Thrasher is rufous with bold streaks; Bendire's is gray-brown with subtle streaks.

Size

Both species are similar in size, but Brown Thrasher is slightly larger.

Plumage

Brown Thrasher has a rich rufous upperpart with bold dark streaks on the breast, while Bendire's Thrasher is more uniformly gray-brown with less distinct streaking.

Behaviour

Both species forage primarily on the ground, but Brown Thrasher is more often seen sweeping litter with its bill, while Bendire's Thrasher probes the soil.

Habitat

Brown Thrasher inhabits deciduous forest edges and thickets in the eastern U.S., whereas Bendire's Thrasher is found in sparse desert habitats in the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico.

Voice

Brown Thrasher is a remarkable singer with a large repertoire, though less studied, Bendire's Thrasher's song is more subdued and less varied.