STATUS: Fairly common in suitable habitat.
HABITAT: Found most abundantly along mountain bases and up to 5,000 feet elevation. Prefers slopes covered with chaparral or early tree stages of blue oak Savannah, digger pine-oak, and riparian deciduous types; also found in foothill towns with mixed brush and short trees, but avoids areas with dense tree canopies.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dense shrubs.
NEST: Builds a large, well-concealed loose cup nest near the ground in a large bush or scrubby tree.
FOOD: Digs in the soil and turns over leaves with its bill in search of food. Eats a diet consisting of insects, spiders, seeds of berries, hazelnuts, weed seeds, and small fruits.
REFERENCES: Beal 1907, Terres 1980, Verner and Boss 1980, Webster in Farrand 1983c.