This uncannily resembles, e.g., the gray thrasher (Toxostoma cinereum) from Baja California,[2] but is apparently a case of convergent evolution.

Its distinctiveness is the result of the strong selective pressure on its island home, which enforced the evolution of conspicuous adaptational autapomorphies.

[1] As late as March 1953 it was still "common" at lower elevations, foraging in arid open shrublands of Croton masonii and prickly pear.

[note 1][2] In November of the same year, the birds had retired to the more humid forest in the uplands and were busy singing and defending territories.

[2] This may be an adaptation to the fact that Socorro has no native terrestrial predators, but red-tailed hawks and great frigatebirds that not infrequently prey on mockingbird-sized birds.

This species feeds on small invertebrates, the remains of land crabs (Johngarthia planata)[2] and fruit, namely of the endemic shrubs Ilex socorrensis and Sideroxylon socorrense, the latter of which has also become rare.

On the other hand, its terrestrial habits make it vulnerable to cat predation and this may limit its recovery even if sheep are contained; it is not known for example in how far foraging in the lowlands – now cat-ridden – was important for robust breeding success.

In addition, it can be expected that predation on this species by both the native red-tailed hawk as well as the feral cats has increased since the Socorro dove – formerly a preferred prey item – has become extinct in the wild.