A New Species for KIBS: It's a Sparrow!

We banded 96 new birds and had 9 recaptures of 11 different species.  A steady stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers kept us busy most of the morning with 81 of them banded.  Amongst the monotony of yellow-rumps appeared a handsome little gem of a bird:  a species that has never been banded before at KIBS!  In fact, to my knowledge, this species has never been recorded on Kiawah Island before either!  A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW!

- Aaron



Grasshopper Sparrow

The coloration on the back is strikingly beautiful up close.  In fact, most sparrows are more than just "little brown jobs" and it sometimes takes seeing them in the hand to really appreciate the intricate coloration and detail in their plumage. 

The yellow lesser coverts are rarely seen on Grasshopper Sparrows in the field. 

       

NEW BIRDS
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
4 Gray Catbird
81 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Painted Bunting
1 Grasshopper Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow

RECAPTURES
1 House Wren
4 Gray Catbird
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Brown Thrasher
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

BANDING STATS
# of Birds Banded:  96
# of Recaptures:  9
# of Species:  11
Effort:  99.5 net-hours
Capture Rate:  105.5 birds/100 net-hours
# of Nets:  20