Sage Sparrow
Amphispiza belli
Synopsis:
Breeds in flats of big sage throughout eastern Oregon, and more
locally in sagebrush in the foothills of the Blue
Mountains. Most notable are the records from Umatilla, southern Morrow,
Wheeler, Crook, southwestern Lake, and western
Deschutes Counties.
Habitat Associations:
strongest
Big Sagebrush Shrubland (10264460 acres)
strong
Sagebrush Steppe (2233370 acres)
Low-Dwarf Sagebrush (368124 acres)
Bitterbrush-Big Sagebrush Shrubland (89349 acres)
some
Salt Desert Scrub Shrubland (571910 acres)
Lava/Pumice with Widely Scattered Trees/Shrubs (110103 acres)
Relative Detectability:
Easy to detect by sight and song, and fairly easy to
confirm breeding.
Challenge:
Determine if this species breeds more widely than shown in
northern Harney, northern Malheur, and central Baker
County.