English and Scientific names:

Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)

Number of individuals: 

 

one; adult 

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron

Specific Locality:

Blue Goose Trail in Sabine NWR

Date(s) when observed:

10/23/2010

Time(s) of day when observed:  

11:45 am. - 12:00 noon

 

Reporting observer and address:

Mary Mehaffey

Folsom, LA  70437

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Cham Mehaffey

Other observers not accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Tom Finney on 10/22/10 same place Blue Goose Trail Sabine NWR

Light conditions:

in full sunlight

Optical equipment: 

Alpen 8 x 42 binoculars 2 yrs old great condition

Audubon 8 x 42 binoculars 3 yrs old great condition

Distance to bird(s): 

50 - 60 feet

Duration of observation:

10 minutes

Habitat: 

marsh with grassland with some shrubs and small trees

Behavior of bird: 

perched on boardwalk rail about 5 minutes; flew into grass and then later back up on rail for another 5 minutes

Description: 

smaller than a Brown Thrasher about the size of a catbird with same proportions; yellow eye; bill about half the size of a Brown Thrasher; tail not as long as a Brown Thrasher

Voice:

did not call

Similar species:

Brown Thrasher: bird was smaller with no reddish brown color; shorter tail

Bendire\'s Thrasher:  bird was much more heavily streaked on breast

Juvenile Mockingbird:  bird was much more heavily streaked on breast and gray/brown not gray in color and had no dark eyeline

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Mary Mehaffey sent to Richard Gibbons and Paul Conover

Previous experience: 

Seen in West Texas  6/19/2004

Identification aids: 

Sibley\'s Guide to Birds and National Geographic Field Guide 5th edition

Notes made from memory? 

notes made after the observation 10/23/10

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes

Date and time: 

10/23/2010  11:45 am when first observed