ML620732023

Observation details

Possible breeding pair, although observation of "breeding behavior" may be a bit circumstantial. Things were all quiet until a coyote began to approach a certain bush, at which point one Crissal perched on a nearby bush giving alarm calls. This bird continued to fly from bush-top to bush-top calling until the coyote noticed me and walked off. At this point, the Crissal also noticed me and started moving away (but stopped calling). I followed, and watched it perched for a while, where a second bird came to join it. I left the pair at this point, having disturbed nature enough for one morning. Similar in color overall to California Thrasher, perhaps more gray than brown. Yellow eye rules out California and LeConte's. Strongly decurved bill rules out Bendire's, and clean underparts with no spotting rules out Curve-billed. Rusty undertail seen but not photographed well. In fact, photos taken at a significant distance are not terribly good, but show the necessary ID marks. This is a regular spot for the species in the county, albeit at a ridiculously low density. I wouldn't estimate more than 3 pairs in the whole bosque at this point, as degraded as the habitat is overall. To find them is to get extremely lucky or requires an extended stakeout of decent-looking bushes (and still a lot of luck). Thanks coyote spirit animal!