Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrashe

Oreoscoptes Montanus - Sage Thrasher in the United States

Oreoscoptes montanus, commonly known as Sage thrasher, are medium-sized passerine birds belonging to the family Mimidae, which also includes mockingbirds, tremblers, and New World catbirds. They are found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the genus Oreoscoptes, it is the only member of the species. This appears to be more closely related to the mockingbirds than to the Caribbean thrashers, at least at first glance.

Quick Overview: Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrasher
Body size: Around 10.5-12.5 in (27-32 cm) and a weight of 62 g (2.2 oz)
Main colors: Gray, Brown, White, Black
Range: Western part of United States
Migratory Bird: Yes
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: January, February, June, July, August, September, December
Conservation Status: Least Concern

Sage thrasher Description

Gray upper parts and pale brown wash on a small thrasher. The bill is short and slightly decurved, with a gray head. The wings are dark in color, with thin white bars running through them. The tail is black with white edges. The legs and feet are entirely black. High-speed flight with shallow wing beats.

Oreoscoptes Montanus - Sage Thrasher in the United States
Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrasher. Source: Wikipedia

Size

These birds have a length of 10.5-12.5 in (27-32 cm) and a weight of 62 g (2.2 oz). Their wings could range 13.14 in (33cm).

Feeding

In summer, insects are their primary food source, but they also consume berries, particularly in the winter. They are most often found searching for insects on the ground in brushy areas.

Oreoscoptes Montanus - Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrasher sneaking some berries. Photo by: USFWS Mountain-Prairie

Habitat

It prefers arid environments such as sagebrush plains and the bottoms of rocky canyons to moist, forested areas.

Behavior

A song is a long, melodious ramble made up of a variety of notes and syllables that is repeated over and over. Some birds sing all night long, especially when the moon is full, and this is especially true for owls. “chuck-chuck” is the alarm call.

Oreoscoptes montanus Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Chelicerata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Mimidae
  • Genus: Oreoscoptes
  • Species: Oreoscoptes montanus

Best time of the year to see

The best time to see these birds in the United States are during summer (June to September) and winter (December to February).

Distribution of the Sage thrasher in the USA

This bird, which is native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, prefers shrubland ecosystems in temperate, subtropical, or tropical climates. From southern Canada to northern Arizona and New Mexico, this bird’s breeding range encompasses western North America.

The Sage thrasher can also be found in the following states in the United States – Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrashe

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