Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is suspected to be undergoing a rapid decline. However, recent trends are poorly documented, and further information may warrant a revision of its status. Putative threats are poorly understood, but the species may be negatively impacted by habitat destruction and degradation resulting from agricultural expansion and development.

Family/Sub-family Mimidae

Species name author (Coues, 1873)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 25 cm. Small, drab almost uniformly brown thrasher. Similar spp. Told from similar Curve-billed Thrasher T. curvirostre by its smaller size; shorter, straighter bill; paler, yellow iris; small triangular (not round) spots on breast; buffy (not dark) malar; and buff-brown (not grayish) flanks. Voice Slow choppy phrases of semi-musical thrush-like whistles and chattering calls.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

170,000

decreasing

823,000 km²

No

Range & population Toxostoma bendirei is found in south-west USA and north-west Mexico, from southern Nevada, southern Utah and south-western Colorado south to central Sonora. Its status in Baja California is unresolved^1,3. Within this range its distribution is patchy and in some cases poorly known (owing to low observer density in desert regions and confusion with other similar Toxostoma species)¹. Individuals in the northern portion of the range migrate south in the winter and overlap with more southern residents^1,3. The species is now so rare that trends cannot be estimated reliably from Breeding Bird Survey data², but declines between 1966 and 2003 equate to 34.5%.

Ecology: It is found in sparse desert habitats from sea level in Sonora to approximately 1,800 m in Utah^1,3. Throughout its range, breeders favour relatively open grassland, shrubland or woodland with scattered shrubs or trees; it is not found in dense vegetation. It forages primarily on the ground, probing for insects and other arthropods, but will also eat seeds and berries¹. It also digs with its bill, but less frequently, not as powerfully nor as efficiently as other thrashers¹. In the Mojave desert, California, migration begins as soon as breeding finishes, with breeding grounds vacated by late August³.

Threats Populations have been eliminated by dense urbanisation around Tucson and by large scale agriculture along the Gila River. In California potential threats may include harvesting of Joshua trees and other yuccas, overgrazing and off-road vehicle activity. However, there have been suggestions that clearing and agricultural activities actually favour this species¹. Competition with the Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostroma curvirostre for a depleted food supply may have contributed to a decline in the population.

Conservation measures underway The species has been classified as a "Species of Special Concern" by California Department of Fish and Game, and protected from take. No information exists on other management actions¹. The species occurs within a number of protected areas.

Conservation measures proposed Research its ecology and determine key habitat requirements. Research the benefits of an increase in scattered junipers from grazing. Study potential competition with Curve-billed Thrashers. Avoid disturbance to and development of important habitats. Determine the taxonomy of Baha Californian populations.

References 1. England and Laudenslayer (1993). 2. J. Wells, K. Rosenberg and E. Inigo in litt. (2003). 3. Brewer and MacKay (2001).

Further web sources of information

Audubon WatchList

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International)

Contributors Eduardo Inigo (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology), Ken Rosenberg (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology), Jeff Wells (Partners in Flight)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Toxostoma bendirei. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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