Sage Thrasher

The Sage Thrasher is the smallest and least strongly curved-billed member of the thrasher family, closely tied to the vast sagebrush landscapes of the interior western United States. Unlike its larger, long-billed relatives, it has a comparatively short, only slightly downcurved bill, giving it a more compact, thrush-like appearance.

Plumage is grayish-brown above with a heavily streaked breast on a whitish background, bright yellow eyes, and white corners visible in the tail during flight, all set against its favored backdrop of gray-green sagebrush.

Key field marks

• Small size and only slightly downcurved bill (much straighter than other thrashers)
• Grayish-brown upperparts
• Heavily streaked breast on white background
• Bright yellow eyes
• White corners on the tail, visible in flight

Similar species

Brown Thrasher is larger with a longer, more strongly curved bill, rufous (not grayish) upperparts, and heavier, bolder streaking. Northern Mockingbird lacks the streaked breast and has a different bill shape and behavior. Sage Thrasher's small size and short bill are the best clues within sagebrush habitat.

Habitat

Sage Thrashers are strongly associated with extensive stands of big sagebrush and other arid shrub-steppe habitat, generally avoiding areas without a well-developed sagebrush component.

Range

The species breeds across the Great Basin and surrounding arid interior of the western United States, including parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and California. It winters in the southwestern US and Mexico.

Migration

Sage Thrashers are medium-distance migrants, withdrawing from northern and higher-elevation portions of the breeding range in fall to winter in warmer desert habitats farther south.

Behavior

Sage Thrashers forage mostly on the ground beneath and around sagebrush, taking insects and, especially outside the breeding season, berries and other fruit; they often run rather than fly between shrubs.

Voice

The song is a long, varied, warbling series of phrases delivered from the top of a sagebrush or other low perch, often continuing for extended periods and incorporating a wide variety of notes.

Nesting

Nests are built low within the dense branches of a sagebrush or other shrub, constructed as a bulky cup of twigs lined with softer material. Females lay 3-5 pale blue-green eggs marked with dark spots.