We banded 21 Painted Buntings and surprisingly most were adult and many were male. Thirteen were male, 5 were female, and 3 were born last year so undetermined (young and green).
Painted Bunting, male
Though we cannot band hummingbirds, if one is caught in the net we (of course) extract them. We saw evidence of at least 4 birds: Two immature males with varying amounts of red, one molting tail feathers, and one adult male. We had moved feeders to prevent them being in the path of the net but the birds were accustomed to flying that way anyway. They quickly learned to not do that! The photo isn't as red as is sometimes seen but that is only due to the angle of the photograph. It was red.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (adult male)
We also had 16 incidental captures: 6 Northern Cardinals, 3 Blue Jays, 3 Chipping Sparrows, 1 Ovenbird, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 American Goldfinch, and 1 Tufted Titmouse!! The Tufted Titmouse was a new bird for me to band (113).
Tufted Titmouse
For the Carolina Wren, is interesting to note that the barred pattern is only on half of each wing feather. When the wing folds, the unmarked portion is under the neighboring feather.
Carolina Wren
Ovenbird
We are still planning on a February 14 start to the "spring" season at Possum Long. Details will follow soon.
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