Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes montanus
The smallest thrasher; crisp black streaking on underparts unlike most other western thrashers. Grayish brown with buffy wash on belly and sides and thin white wingbars. Long tail. Small, slightly downcurved bill. In flight, look for white corners on tail. True to its name, shows a strong affinity for sagebrush. Singing males perch conspicuously, otherwise furtive, running around on the ground in search of insects. Song is a long, loose series of musical chirps and whistles.
Identification
Oreoscoptes montanus are pale grey-brown on the upperparts and white with dark streaks on the underparts. They have a slim straight relatively short bill, yellow eyes and a long tail, although not as long as that of other thrashers.<p>Measurements:
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Oreoscoptes montanus
- Authority
- (Townsend, JK, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mimidae
- Genus
- Oreoscoptes
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- NA : w, sw USA
- Non-breeding range
- c Mexico
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
These birds have declined in some areas where sagebrush has been removed but are still common where suitable habitat remains. The continued decline of sagebrush habitats in western North America is cause for alarm for this and other sagebrush dependent species.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-vented Tapaculo
Scytalopus femoralis
A fairly common cloud forest tapaculo found in the eastern Andes of northern and central Peru. Adult is gray with brown bars on the lower underparts. Young birds are browner and extensively marked with buff bars and scales. Similar to Trilling Tapaculo and Junin Tapaculo, and identification should be based on range and voice. Rufous-vented Tapaculo gives sharp chips and low frog-like notes, either alone or in an accelerating series. Inhabits forest understory and usually tough to see.
Ranongga White-eye
Zosterops splendidus
Small. Olive-green above and banana-yellow below and on throat. Chest smudged olive. Has a bold white eye-ring and a black patch on the face from the eye forward. Found in most forest, scrub, and garden habitats. Song consists of around nine up- or downslurred notes. Call is a strong, two-syllabled “che-u.”
Sumatran Shortwing
Brachypteryx saturata
A small, dark songster of montane rainforest floor and undergrowth on Sumatra. Male is overall dark slaty-gray but slightly paler on the belly. Female is similar but duller and even paler on the belly. Both sexes have thin, white eyebrows and long, black legs. Forages on the ground but also hops on logs and low branches. Can be confiding but moves rapidly when alarmed. Superficially similar to Sumatran Blue Robin but shortwing’s tail is shorter and it lacks the white forehead. Song is a cheerful, random series of up-and-down whistles. Call, a sharp “click!”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.