Crissal Thrasher vs Sage Thrasher

Crissal Thrasher

Toxostoma crissale

Medium63 gShrubland

The bird grows to 32 centimetres (13 in), and has a deeply curved bill. The eyes are dull yellow. Bird expert Roger Tory Peterson described its singing as sweeter and less spasmodic than other thrashers. It can be found near desert streams in dense underbrush, mesquite thickets, willows, scrub oak, high elevations in manzanita, and in the low desert near canyon chaparral. The bird seldom flies in the open. As such, the crissal thrasher rarely flies, preferring to walk or run around its territory and will mostly run for cover when disturbed by a potential predator.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: John J. Mosesso, NBII · Public domain

Sage Thrasher

Oreoscoptes montanus

Small44 gShrubland

The sage thrasher is a medium-sized passerine, measuring 20.0-23.0 cm in length and weighing 39.6-50.3g. Its eyes are distinctive ranging from lemon-yellow to amber coloration. Juveniles have paler upperparts and lightly streaked underparts compare to the adults. Adults display brownish-gray upperparts and white underparts marked with dark streaks. Plumage remains relatively similar throughout the year. Sage thrasher can be distinguished from other thrashers by its shorter and less curved bill, shorter tail and smaller size. Voice: Sage thrashers sing to attract mates and establish territories. During migration to their breeding grounds, silent individuals travel ahead of occupied territories by others until they reach an unoccupied one, where they begin to sing they are established. Singing is most frequent during territory establishment and pair formation, and stop when nest building starts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Chris (CP) and Pamela (PP) Pipes · CC0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Crissal Thrasher and Sage Thrasher.