Sage thrasher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sage thrasher |
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| In New Jersey, USA | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oreoscoptes
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| Species: |
montanus
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| Breeding range Migration Nonbreeding | |
The sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This means it's a type of "perching bird." It belongs to the Mimidae family. This family also includes mockingbirds and New World catbirds. The sage thrasher is the only bird in its special group, called Oreoscoptes. Scientists believe it is more closely related to mockingbirds than to other thrashers.
Contents
What Does a Sage Thrasher Look Like?
Sage thrashers are pale gray-brown on their backs. Their undersides are white with dark streaks. They have a thin, straight, and fairly short beak. Their eyes are yellow, and they have a long tail. However, their tail is not as long as those of other thrasher birds.
How big are they?
- Length: About 7.9 to 9.1 inches (20 to 23 cm)
- Weight: Around 1.4 to 1.8 ounces (40 to 50 grams)
- Wingspan: About 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Where Do Sage Thrashers Live and Reproduce?
As their name suggests, these birds live in western North America. They are found from southern Canada down to northern Arizona and New Mexico. They like to live in areas with many sagebrush plants. Sometimes, they live in other bushy places.
The female bird lays 4 or 5 eggs. She builds a cup-shaped nest from twigs in a low bush. Both parents help to incubate the eggs. This means they sit on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch. Both parents also feed the young birds.
Where Do Sage Thrashers Go in Winter?
When winter comes, these birds migrate south. They fly to the southernmost United States and Mexico. This includes the Baja Peninsula.
What Do Sage Thrashers Eat?
Sage thrashers mainly eat insects during the summer. In winter, they also eat berries. They usually look for insects on the ground in bushy areas.
What Sounds Do Sage Thrashers Make?
The male sage thrasher sings a series of warbled notes. He does this to protect his nesting area from other birds.
Are Sage Thrashers Safe?
The number of sage thrashers has gone down in some places. This happens where sagebrush plants have been removed. However, they are still common where there is good habitat left. The continued loss of sagebrush habitats in western North America is a concern. It affects sage thrashers and other animals that depend on sagebrush.
See also
In Spanish: Cuitlacoche de las artemisas para niños
