Melanistic Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre), Apache Jct., Pinal County

This Melanistic Curve-billed Thrasher was found and photographed by Samantha Starr on 06 January 2016

Samantha writes "this appears to be a melanistic curve-billed thrasher that has been visiting my yard for the last several days. At first I thought maybe it got into something because the feathers are rather worn, but after 4 days of heavy rain the color is unchanged and seems way too uniform to be some sort of soot, oil, or other unnatural cause."

In general, melanism (excess dark pigment) is much rarer in birds than pigment deficiencies such as albinism and leucism. 

Body size and shape plus slender strongly decurved bill and yellow/orange eyes of a curve-billed thrasher but plumage mostly black and even legs, feet, and bill darker than typical curve-billed thrashers.

06 January 2016, photo by Samantha Starr