Prairie Willet on a sagebrush- Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
In the past 10 Days I have shared a Western Meadowlark and a Sage Thrasher perched on sagebrush and today I am posting a Prairie Willet perched on Big Sagebrush.
On Antelope Island State Park willets breed in the semiarid grasslands that also include sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and greasewood.
During the early part of the breeding season the Prairie Willets can often be found perched on top of these shrubs to rest, preen and call.
Though Prairie Willets are not sagebrush obligates they do use sagebrush for cover from predators as do many other species of birds, mammals and reptiles.
This Prairie Willet perched on the sagebrush just a few feet from the road and called once before taking off to land on the other side of the road in the grasses.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Prairie Willet photos plus facts and information about this species.
Update: Willets were split into two species in October 2026. Eastern willets are now Saltmarsh Willets, Tringa semipalmata. Western willets are now Prairie Willets, Tringa inornata. This post has been updated to reflect those changes.
Looks like Montana! LOL. Love Sagebrush shots.
I always have trouble identifying birds when I met known birds in a new area or habitat. The first time I saw a willet in a sagebrush, I had to spend many minutes figuring out what it was. We see those western willets in Texas in the winter when they are mostly unmarked and pale. So he was both out of habitat and in disguise.
Love the alert look – and the way some of the plumage colour is echoed in the Sagebrush.
I’m so used to seeing Willets on ocean beaches, seems strange to see one on Sagebrush! Nice!
What perfect timing!!!! See my post for today and you’ll understand why! LOL
Perfect photo Mia.
Great photo!
Thanks for teaching me so much!