STATUS: Common in parts of its range.
HABITAT: Prefers sage habitat where sagebrush, saltbush, and chaparral are found. Often found in and among the bushes in the Great Basin region and other dry desert areas.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Sagebrush and chaparral with scattered bushes.
NEST: Usually nests in low shrubs in desert regions, but sometimes in small depressions on the ground. Places nest 6 to 18 inches above the ground, often built into the body of the bush so the foundation is firmly placed. Builds nest of sticks and twigs, often lining it with animal hair and dry grass.
FOOD: Eats soft-bodied insects, ants, and spiders, often obtained from the ground or low in bushes. In winter, primarily eats small seeds and other plant materials.
REFERENCES: Reynolds 1981.