Editing Sage thrasher

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Sage thrasher
| image = Oreoscoptes montanus Sandy Hook NJ.jpg
| image_caption=In New Jersey, USA
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Oreoscoptes montanus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22711096A94277324 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22711096A94277324.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Oreoscoptes
| parent_authority = [[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]], 1858
| species = montanus
| authority = ([[John Kirk Townsend|Townsend]], 1837)
| range_map = Oreoscoptes montanus map.svg
| range_map_caption =  {{leftlegend|#FF7F2A|Breeding range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#FFDD55|Migration|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#5F8DD3|Nonbreeding|outline=gray}}
}}

The '''sage thrasher''' ('''''Oreoscoptes montanus''''') is a medium-sized [[perching bird|passerine]] [[bird]] from the family [[Mimidae]], which also includes [[mockingbird]]s, [[trembler]]s, and [[New World catbird]]s. It is the only member of the genus '''''Oreoscoptes'''''. This seems less close to the [[Caribbean]] thrashers, but rather to the mockingbirds instead (Hunt ''et al.'' 2001, Barber ''et al.'' 2004).

== Description ==
[[File:SageThrasher-12FEB2017.jpg|alt=Sage Thrasher|left|thumb|309x309px|Sage Thrasher wintering in [[Woodland, California]]. February 2017.]]
''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 [[thrasher]]s.

'''Measurements''':<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sage Thrasher Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology|url=https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sage_Thrasher/id|access-date=2020-09-29|website=www.allaboutbirds.org|language=en}}</ref>

* '''Length''': 7.9-9.1 in (20-23&nbsp;cm)
* '''Weight''': 1.4-1.8 oz (40-50 g)
* '''Wingspan''': 12.6 in (32&nbsp;cm)

== Breeding ==
As its name suggests, this bird breeds in western [[North America]], from southern [[Canada]] to northern [[Arizona]] and [[New Mexico]]. Its breeding [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] is in areas with dense stands of [[sagebrush]] and rarely in other shrubby areas. Their nests are made of twigs, rootlets and bark strips, lined with fine rootlets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE BIRD BOOK |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/30000/pg30000-images.html#Page_419}}</ref> The female lays 4 or 5 [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s in a twiggy [[bird nest|cup nest]] built in a low bush. Both parents [[incubate (bird)|incubate]] and feed the young birds.

== Migrating ==
In winter, these birds [[bird migration|migrate]] to the southernmost [[United States]] and [[Mexico]], including the [[Baja Peninsula]], north and south.

== Diet ==
They mainly eat [[insect]]s in summer; they also eat [[Berry|berries]], especially in winter. They usually search for insects on the ground in brushy locations.

== Vocalization ==
The male bird sings a series of warbled notes to defend his nesting territory.

== 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.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*Barber, Brian R.; Martínez-Gómez, Juan E. & Peterson, A. Townsend (2004): Systematic position of the Socorro mockingbird ''Mimodes graysoni''. ''[[Journal of Avian Biology|J. Avian Biol.]]'' '''35''': 195–198. <small>{{doi|10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03233.x}}</small> (HTML abstract)
*Hunt, Jeffrey S.; Bermingham, Eldredge; & Ricklefs, Robert E. (2001): Molecular systematics and biogeography of Antillean thrashers, tremblers, and mockingbirds (Aves: Mimidae). ''[[Auk (journal)|Auk]]'' '''118'''(1): 35–55. <small>[[Digital Object Identifier|DOI]]:10.1642/0004-8038(2001)118[0035:MSABOA]2.0.CO;2</small> [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3793/is_200101/ai_n8930531 HTML fulltext without images]

==External links==
* [http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sage_Thrasher.html Sage Thrasher Species Account] - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
* [http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i7020id.html Sage Thrasher ''Oreoscoptes montanus''] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=sage+thrasher&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Sage Thrasher photo gallery] VIREO
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=5800 Sage Thrasher videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oreomont Photo and description] - [[Utah Division of Wildlife Resources]]

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==Further reading==
{{Commons|Oreoscoptes montanus}}
===Book===

* Reynolds, T. D., T. D. Rich, and D. A. Stephens. 1999. ''Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)''. In ''The Birds of North America'', No. 463 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

===Thesis===

* Castrale JS. Ph.D. (1981). ''USE OF MANAGED SAGEBRUSH GRASSLANDS BY BIRD POPULATIONS''. Brigham Young University, United States -- Utah.
* Howe FP. Ph.D. (1993). ''Effects of an experimental food reduction on nesting shrubsteppe passerines''. Colorado State University, United States -- Colorado.
* Johnson E. M.S. (2005). ''Bird and small mammal communities of sagebrush-dominated mountain meadows: An examination of meadow characteristics as part of a hierarchical, multi-level study of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest''. Utah State University, United States -- Utah.
* McIntyre KK. M.S. (2003). ''Species composition and beta diversity of avian communities along a burned/unburned gradient in sagebrush steppe habitat at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada''. Sul Ross State University, United States -- Texas.
* Petersen KL. Ph.D. (1986). ''AVIAN ECOLOGICAL STUDIES IN A SAGEBRUSH COMMUNITY: BIRD RESPONSES TO FIRE AND TERRITORY DYNAMICS IN A SPARROW POPULATION (IDAHO)''. Iowa State University, United States -- Iowa.

===Articles===

* Amin OM & Dailey MD. (1998). ''Description of Mediorhynchus papillosus (Acanthocephala: Gigantorhynchidae) from a Colorado, U.S.A., population, with a discussion of morphology and geographical variability''. Journal of the Helminthological Society of Washington. vol '''65''', no 2. p. 189-200.
* Belthoff JR, Powers LR & Reynolds TD. (1998). ''Breeding birds at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, 1985-1991''. Great Basin Naturalist. vol '''58''', no 2. p. 167-183.
* Bielefeldt J. (1973). ''Sage Thrasher in Waukesha County''. Passenger Pigeon. vol '''35''', no 1. p. 35-36.
* Castrale JS. (1982). ''Effects of 2 Sagebrush Artemisia-Spp Control Methods on Nongame Birds''. Journal of Wildlife Management. vol '''46''', no 4. p. 945-952.
* Fischer DH. (1983). ''Growth Development and Food Habits of Nestling Mimids in South Texas USA''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''95''', no 1. p. 97-105.
* Howe FP. (1992). ''Effects of Protocalliphora-Braueri Diptera Calliphoridae Parasitism and Inclement Weather on Nestling Sage Thrashers''. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. vol '''28''', no 1. p. 141-143.
* Howe FP, Knight RL, McEwen LC & George TL. (1996). ''Direct and indirect effects of insecticide applications on growth and survival of nestling passerines''. Ecological Applications. vol '''6''', no 4. p. 1314-1324.
* Howe FP, Knight RL, McEwen LC & George TL. (2000). ''Diet switching and food delivery by shrubsteppe passerines in response to an experimental reduction in food''. Western North American Naturalist. vol '''60''', no 2. p. 139-154.
* Ingelfinger F & Anderson S. (2004). ''Passerine response to roads associated with natural gas extraction in a sagebrush steppe habitat''. Western North American Naturalist. vol '''64''', no 3. p. 385-395.
* Johnston DW. (1969). ''Sage Thrasher and Other Unusual Birds in North-Central Florida''. Auk. vol '''86''', no 4. p. 754-755.
* Killpack ML. (1970). ''Notes on Sage Thrasher Nestlings in Colorado''. Condor. vol '''72''', no 4. p. 486-488.
* Knick ST & Rotenberry JT. (1995). ''Landscape characteristics of fragmented shrubsteppe habitats and breeding passerine birds''. Conservation Biology. vol '''9''', no 5. p. 1059-1071.
* Knick ST & Rotenberry JT. (2000). ''Ghosts of habitats past: Contribution of landscape change to current habitats used by shrubland birds''. Ecology. vol '''81''', no 1. p. 220-227.
* Knick ST & Rotenberry JT. (2002). ''Effects of habitat fragmentation on passerine birds breeding in Intermountain shrubsteppe''. Studies in Avian Biology. vol '''25''', p. 130-140.
* Lavers N. (1980). ''Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus New-Record Arkansas USA''. Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings. vol '''34''', no 122.
* McNicholl MK. (1973). ''Sight Record of Sage Thrasher near Cache Creek British-Columbia''. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol '''87''', no 4.
* Medin DE. (1992). ''BIRDS OF A GREAT-BASIN SAGEBRUSH HABITAT IN EAST-CENTRAL NEVADA''. Usda Forest Service Intermountain Research Station Research Paper. no 452. p. U1-U4.
* Noson AC, Schmitz RA & Miller RF. (2006). ''Influence of fire and Juniper encroachment on birds in high-elevation sagebrush steppe''. Western North American Naturalist. vol '''66''', no 3. p. 343-353.
* Petersen KL & Best LB. (1991). ''Nest-Site Selection by Sage Thrashers in Southeastern Idaho''. Great Basin Naturalist. vol '''51''', no 3. p. 261-266.
* Reynolds TD. (1981). ''Nesting of the Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli and Brewers Sparrow Spizella-Breweri in Southeastern Idaho USA''. Condor. vol '''83''', no 1. p. 61-64.
* Reynolds TD & Rich TD. (1978). ''Reproductive Ecology of the Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus on the Snake River Plain in South Central Idaho USA''. Auk. vol '''95''', no 3. p. 580-582.
* Rich T. (1980). ''Nest Placement in Sage Thrashers Oreoscoptes-Montanus Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli and Brewers Sparrows Spizella-Breweri''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''92''', no 3. p. 362-368.
* Rich T. (1985). ''A Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus Nest with Constructed Shading Platform''. Murrelet. vol '''66''', no 1. p. 18-19.
* Rich T & Rothstein SI. (1985). ''Sage Thrashers Oreoscoptes-Montanus Reject Cowbird Molothrus-Ater Eggs''. Condor. vol '''87''', no 4. p. 561-562.
* Rich TDG. (1980). ''Bilateral Wing Display in the Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''94''', no 4. p. 512-513.
* Rose BJ. (1969). ''Sage Thrasher in Pennington County''. South Dakota Bird Notes. vol '''21''', no 4.
* Rotenberry JT & Wiens JA. (1989). ''Reproductive Biology of Shrubsteppe Passerine Birds Geographical and Temporal Variation in Clutch Size Brood Size and Fledging Success''. Condor. vol '''91''', no 1. p. 1-14.
* Rowlett RA. (1972). ''1st Sage Thrasher for Maryland''. Atlantic Naturalist. vol '''27''', no 2. p. 85-86.
* Vander Haegen WM, Schroeder MA & Degraaf RM. (2002). ''Predation on real and artificial nests in shrubsteppe landscapes fragmented by agriculture''. Condor. vol '''104''', no 3. p. 496-506.
* Weber JW & Larrison EJ. (1976). ''Status of the Sage Thrasher in Asotin County Washington and Adjacent Idaho''. Murrelet. vol '''57''', no 3.
* Wiens JA & Rotenberry JT. (1980). ''Patterns of Morphology and Ecology in Grassland and Shrub Steppe Bird Populations''. Ecological Monographs. vol '''50''', no 3. p. 287-308.
* Wiens JA, Rotenberry JT & Van Horne B. (1987). ''Habitat Occupancy Patterns of North American Shrubsteppe Birds the Effects of Spatial Scale''. Oikos. vol '''48''', no 2. p. 132-147.
* Williams NS. (1983). ''3 New Species of Brueelia Mallophaga Philopteridae from the Mimidae Aves Passeriformes''. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. vol '''96''', no 4. p. 599-604.
* Wilson Ornithol Soc Conserv C. (1976). ''Conservation Committee Report on Effects of Alteration of Sagebrush Communities on the Associated Avi Fauna''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''88''', no 1. p. 165-171.
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{{Passerida|M.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1587710}}
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[[Category:Mimidae|sage thrasher]]
[[Category:Thrashers|sage thrasher]]
[[Category:Native birds of Western Canada]]
[[Category:Native birds of the Canadian Prairies]]
[[Category:Native birds of the Western United States]]
[[Category:Birds of the Great Basin]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1837|sage thrasher]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Kirk Townsend|sage thrasher]]