November 2, 2012

Another banding session and another thrush species.  First thing we had a Swainson's Thrush in the net.  The background color of the spotted chest and relatively large eye-ring were apparent.  Wing measurements and the length and shape of the feathers confirmed this species.

Swainson's Thrush

Next we had 2 Gray Catbirds.  Both birds were born in the last nesting season (hatch-year) as told by mouth color.  It looks like we will be catching a fair number of Gray Catbirds but as of yet we have had no recaptures.  Time will tell whether some migrated through or left the property or if we have resident wintering ones.

Gray Catbird

Maybe because the birds were young they called frequently or maybe this species is just vocal.  When they did this we were able to see inside the mouth.  Adult birds have dark mouths and hatch-year birds are pink.  You make the call....

hatch-year Gray Catbird