[SBB] Indigo Bunting

["Garth Harwood" <[[email protected]]>]

An adult male Indigo Bunting in breeding plumage was present at the little pond at Gate 5 at Monte Bello OSP today 8/15/2005 at noon. It flushed from the coyote brush on the slope just northeast of the pond, where I was standing, and settled onto another coyote bush in the narrow fringe of bushes along the southwest shore. I was able to study it as it sat on an open limb for several minutes before flying up the valley. It showed no signs of hybridization with Lazuli, but rather was a deep blue all over (entire head, back, unbarred wings, throat, breast, belly...) with a darker facial area and dark highlighting on the wings. 

I am fairly sure the bird was present yesterday noon as well, but I only saw it briefly in flight in unhelpful light conditions. I did hear a snatch of bunting song and hear sharp calls consistent with the species, though. Today, the bird was silent.

Also present was at least one juvenile Chipping Sparrow and a couple of House Wrens. A Spotted Towhee nearer to Gate 4 had a drab, begging juvenile in tow.

--Garth Harwood
_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
south-bay-birds mailing list      ([[email protected]])
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
http://www.plaidworks.com/mailman/options/south-bay-birds/list_fred_archives%40plaidworks.org

This email sent to [[email protected]]