Notes from the Station

Species: Anna’s Hummingbird
Most recent capture date: 6/7/2023
Age: less than six weeks old
​Sex: male

Notes: In an adult bird, gaping like this would be a sign of physical distress. In a baby like this, however, it’s just a sign of confusion. This little guy still has his gray-edged juvenile plumage and yellow gape, but he’s already growing in the pink gorget feathers that he’ll use to signal to rivals and court females when he grows up.

Species: Song Sparrow
Most recent capture date: 6/4/2023
Age: less than two months old

Notes: The 2023 edition of Song Sparrows have arrived too!

Species: Common Yellowthroat
Most recent capture date: 6/10/2023
​Earliest capture date: 5/19/2021
Age: at least 3 years old
​Sex: male

Notes: In birds where plumage is used to attract mates, birds genuinely get more bright/contrasty/dark (attractive) with age. This fellow is a senior by small-warbler standards and has the flashy looks to prove it.

Species: Lazuli Bunting
Most recent capture date: 5/21/2023
Age: just under one year old
​Sex: male

Species: Ash-throated Flycatcher
Most recent capture date: 5/21/2023
Age: at least one year old

Species: Bullock’s Oriole
Most recent capture date: 5/21/2023
​Earliest capture date: 4/28/2019
Age: at least 6 years old
​Sex: male

Species: Yellow Warbler
Most recent capture date: 5/15/2023
Age: almost one year old
​Sex: Male

Species: Bushtit
Most recent capture date: 5/10/2023
Age: less than two months old

Notes: The 2023 babies are here! Look closely at the corner of this bird’s mouth to see the telltale yellow gape of a young juvenile.

Species: Western Tanager
Most recent capture date: 5/07/2023
Age: more than one year old
Sex: male

Notes: Another from our Day Of Tanagers; compare this bird’s colors to those of the younger one posted previously.

Species: Western Tanager
Most recent capture date: 5/07/2023
Age: less than one year old
Sex: male

Notes: Western Tanagers are a rare, exciting catch for us. On May 7th, we caught one and got excited – and then caught five more! All were male, some first-years like this fellow distinguishable by their comparatively dull plumage, and some more vibrant older birds. This is the only time in the history of CCFS that six Western Tanagers have been caught in a single day.