“A long, scythe-shaped bill is the most striking feature of the Crissal Thrasher. In fact, this bill and the way that the bird uses it inspired the term “thrasher.” Thrashers primarily eat terrestrial insects. They use their long bills to “thrash” through dead leaves and dirt while searching for prey. Crissal Thrashers are only found in southwestern deserts, and New Mexico is one of the best places in the U.S. to see them. Despite their preference for relatively open habitats, Crissal Thrashers can be skulking and surprisingly inconspicuous. Listen for their rolling “pitchoree” calls, which are often the best clue to their presence.’ – description courtesy of: abcbirds.org