Old Mesilla New Mexico USA

 

Bendire's Thrasher March 27th 2015

 

 

 

This melodious individual decided to serenade us here at Casa Rosa in old Mesilla, New Mexico, last week. Unfortunately after several evenings and early morning recitals it disappeared...

And is already greatly missed!   

This species is  considered vulnerable internationally, and has undergone a large and statistically significant decrease over the last 40 years in North America (-90.6%).

Bendire’s Thrasher populations declined between 1966 and 2003. They could of been eliminated by dense urbanisation and increased cultivation in some parts of their range. In California, habitat loss by overgrazing and human activities plays an important role in this decline. Although other suggestions have been made by some researchers that clearing and agricultural activities could be favouring this species.

This species of Thrasher was discovered by US Army Lieutenant Charles Bendire, near Fort Lowell, Arizona, in 1872 whilst he was exploring the desert. The bird was named in honour of the Lieutenant.

Bendire's  is a bird of the deserts of the south-western United States and north-western Mexico. Whereas other south-western Thrashers are resident, the Bendire’s Thrasher is known to leave the northern region of its breeding range in winter. These short distance movements sometimes lead to the bird turning up in unusual places.