Blog Archives

Western Flycatcher

11/16/2023

Species: Western Flycatcher
Most recent capture date: 9/27/2023
Age: less than six months old

Notes: A few months ago, this bird would have been a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Ornithologists are gathering data and revising our understanding of bird relationships all the time, and just this year, based on genetic data from a previously-unstudied region, the experts decided to "lump" Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers into one species, the Western Flycatcher. This made a lot of sense considering that the two former-species were already nearly indistinguishable - but then, some similar-looking birds are genetically very distinct, so it's always best to look at both morphology (appearance) and genetics together.

On a different note - look at this bird's very orange mouth!

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Acorn Woodpecker

11/15/2023

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Species: Acorn Woodpecker
Most recent capture date: 9/23/2023
Age: more than one year old
Sex: male

Notes: This fellow was quite a surprise. On the one hand, we did catch him right next to our largest oak tree, which is sensible Acorn Woodpecker habitat; on the other hand, the last time we caught an Acorn Woodpecker at CCFS was in 1989.

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Western Tanager

11/13/2023

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Species: Western Tanager
Most recent capture date: 9/24/2023
Age: less than six months old

Notes: Looking at this bird, you might not suspect the glorious adult plumage to come. Are Western Tanagers the bird version of stunning celebrities who insist that they were unpopular nerds in high school?

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NOTES FROM THE STATION

Western Flycatcher

Acorn Woodpecker

Western Tanager

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