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The California Thrasher as a Mimic

Robert S. Woods

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The reading of Dr. Loye Miller’s informative discussion (Condor, vol. 40, 1938, pp. 216-219) of the mimetic activities of the mockingbird inspires the comment that the California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) seldom receives due credit for his abilities in that direction. Probably the personal observations of others lead to a different conclusion, but it has seemed to me that it is Toxostoma rather than Mimus that really deserves the title of “mockingbird.” Supplementing Dr. Miller’s statement that “Certain mimetic notes are heard only in the area or at the season when the imitated species is present,” it may be said that the thrasher, at least, seems able to remember them for a considerable time. Upon hearing the familiar and unmistakable notes of the male Bullock Oriole here at Azusa in midwinter I have found their author to be a thrasher. Late one summer, a thrasher’s song included the call of a robin, a species which is an irregular winter visitant here; this, however, might more easily have been an accidental resemblance.

The most impressive example of mimicry which I have heard from the thrasher was an excellent imitation of the wail of a coyote. So perfect was the inflection that, had not the plaintive howls fitted neatly into the bird’s song, it would have been hard to believe that they did not emanate from a coyote in the distance. The thrasher did not, however, attempt to reproduce the series of barks which ordinarily precedes the wailing note.

Asusa, California, October 3, 1938

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