Species: Hooded Oriole
Most recent capture date: 7/18/2021
Sex: Male
Age: At least one year old

Notes: This bird was captured in the same place and at the same time as the female Hooded Oriole in the previous post: they are very likely a mated pair.

Species: Hooded Oriole
Most recent capture date: 7/18/2021
Sex: Female
Age: At least one year old

Species: Eurasian Collared Dove
Most recent capture date: 7/18/2021
Age: At least one year old

Notes: This species is native to Europe and Asia but invasive in North America, our now-large population stemming from a small group of birds that were released in the Bahamas in 1974. They are a fairly common sight in the Bay Area, but this bird was the first of its species to ever be captured at CCFS! They spend a lot of time in pairs, and as we measured this bird we could see another – probably their mate – nearby. Holding the bird is one of our volunteer banders, Deanna, who as a major fan of doves was very excited to measure this massive bird.

Species: Bushtit
Most recent capture date: 7/13/21
Age: less than four months old

​Notes: All Bushtits start with dark eyes. Over time, the eyes of females lighten, while those of males stay dark. This bird is too young for us to tell whether their eyes are dark because they are male, or simply because they are young.

Species: Northern Mockingbird
Most recent capture date: 7/4/21
Age: less than four months old

​Notes: Mockingbird’s eyes change color as they age. Eventually this bird’s brown eyes will turn golden. The yellow at the corner of the bill (called “gape”) and the bird’s general fluffiness are also indicators of their youth.

Species: Oak Titmouse
Most recent capture date: 6/29/21
Age: less than four months old

 Notes: The pointy crest on a titmouse is not just decorative: they can raise or lower the feathers there to communicate intention, such as during a threat display. This bird raised their crest repeatedly while I collected data; possibly I should have felt threatened!

Species: White-breasted Nuthatch
Most recent capture date: 6/29/21
Sex: Male
Age: less than four months old

Species: Ash-throated Flycatcher
Most recent capture date: 6/29/2021
Age: at least 1 year old

Notes: Perhaps, like me, you generally think of flycatchers as small birds? This fellow is happy to disabuse you of that notion.

Species: Spotted Towhee​
Most recent capture date: 6/29/21
Age: less than 4 months old

Notes: This young bird is in the process of replacing their juvenile plumage (brown) with their first set of adult plumage (black/orange/white). Their new adult plumage has already grown in on their body, but their head is still covered in juvenile feathers. Can you see the difference?

Species: California Thrasher
Most recent capture date: 6/15/2021
Age: less than 3 months old