The curve-billed thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is a medium-sized mimid native to most of Mexico and to the deserts of southwestern United States.

[citation needed] It is grey-brown overall with a slightly curved bill, and is similar in appearance to the related Bendire's thrasher.

It generally resides in desert regions of the United States and Mexico, but can inhabit areas predominately populated by humans.

[2] Juveniles are lacking in pale tips, rectrices, abdominal feathers are unkempt and upper parts and chest are washed rufously.

[5] One study published in 2003 suggested that curve-billed speciation was due to climate, which could be explained by molt and feather wear.

[9] Measurements:[11] The most distinctive voice of the curve-billed is an abrupt and brash whit-wheet, which sounds akin to a person whistling to get one's attention.

[14] As a mimid it is capable of mimicking several species, including scissor-tailed flycatcher, northern cardinal, pyrrhuloxia and, in one instance, a black-headed grosbeak.

The bill of the curve-billed is all black, while that of Bendire's is paler down to the lower mandible, showing a dark grey with a basal area that does not feature a stark contrast.

[16][17] The curve-billed is heavier and is more likely to inhabit suburban regions; Bendires' are likely to avoid dense vegetation such as mesquite and prefers open grassland with scattered yucca or around hedgerows in agricultural areas.

[16][17] The curve-billed thrasher is commonly found throughout the southwestern United States from Arizona's Sonoran Desert across New Mexico to west Texas, southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas as well as most of Mexico from the Sonoran-Chihuahuan Deserts and south through the Mexican Plateau into Central Tamaulipas, inland to Oaxaca, and on the coast of Sonora to Nayarit.

[5] It generally resides where cholla and saguaro cacti, ocotillo, mesquites, palo verde, and creosote bushes are prevalent.

[4][5] One recorded case of courtship behavior involving curve-billed thrashers describes two males attacking each other vigorously and resorting to purring and hissings sounds when neither bird appeared to relent.

[4] The curve-billed breeding season begins in February and reaches an apex between March and May; however, new fledglings have been recorded as late as August.

[3][5] Other potential nesting sites range from mesquite, prickly pear or yucca to the occasional oak and pine trees.

[5] Egg color varies; they can appear bluish green to pale yellowish blue, spotted abundantly in reddish brown.

[3] Curve-billed parents defend their nests fervently against other species; snakes are the most frequent predators of eggs and nestlings.

Curve-billeds will also sip nectar from saguaro blossoms and eat insects trapped within, serving as pollinators in the process.

[18]:183-185 Curve-billed thrashers share a very similar range to the cactus wren, as well as a favorite species to nest in: the jumping cholla.

[18]:168-187 Although its populations is declining, the curve-billed thrasher is rated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.