Ocellated thrasher
| Ocellated thrasher | |
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| Species: | T. ocellatum
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| Binomial name | |
| Toxostoma ocellatum (Sclater, 1862)
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The ocellated thrasher (Toxostoma ocellatum) is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is endemic to the highlands of south-central Mexico, where ts natural habitats are dry scrubland and open oak and pine woodland between 1500 and 3000 m above sea-level.
About 30 cm long, its upperparts are brown while the underparts are white with round black spots. The outer tail-feathers have narrow white tips. It has a long musical song with phrases of two or three notes.
Like other thrashers, this bird searches for food on the ground, using its long bill to "thrash" through dead leaves or dirt, seeking insects.
References
- Peterson, Roger Tory & Edward L. Chalif (1973) A Field Guide to Mexican Birds, Houghton Mifflin.
- van Perlo, Ber (2006) A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Central America, Collins.