Breeding Biology of Curve-Billed Thrashers and Long-Billed Thrashers in Southern Texas

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Abstract
Curve-billed thrashers and long-billed thrashers were studied in Live Oak County, Texas, during the summers of 1977 and 1978. Curve-billed thrashers nested and foraged mostly within open habitats, although they also nested in dense chaparral if clearings were nearby. Long-billed thrashers nested and foraged exclusively within dense chaparral. Curve-billed thrashers often nested in exposed sites; long-billed thrashers always nested in shelter. Curve-billed thrashers constructed deeper nests, incubated their eggs for less time each day and brooded their young for many more days than did long-billed thrashers. Curve-billed thrashers had greater reproductive success (37%) than did long-billed thrashers (26%). This difference was attributed to the frequent use of Yucca for nest support by curve-billed thrashers. Nest success was not significantly affected by nest height, brood size or the date when the nest was initiated. Snakes were the primary predators of thrasher eggs and nestlings. The roles of the sexes of curve-billed thrashers were examined during the breeding cycle. Females incubated and fed the nestlings significantly more often than males. Only females brooded the young. Male participation varied greatly among pairs and between nesting attempts.

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