As in the mulattoes and the mockingbirds, the bill is curved downwards, and is generally long, although it varies according to the species.

The feathers on the throat, chest and belly are usually light (white or greyish) and in most species these parts of the body have dark spots.

They generally feed on insects, but also on fruits, seeds, worms, molluscs and, occasionally, small reptiles.

They prefer desert or semi-desert habitats and areas of shrubby vegetation; some species inhabit forests, and only one (T. guttatum) is tropical.

The genus name Toxostoma comes from the Ancient Greek toxon, "bow" or "arch" and stoma, "mouth".