Hi tweets, it is sad to say, the Yellow-throated Warbler of Gabriola Island
became Sharp-shinned Hawk protein today (Jan. 25) after a 3-week stint at
the feeder on El Verano. Apparently the bird was at the feeder when a
SShawk arrived and spooked the bird. The warbler flew into the window and
was recovering from its daze when the Sharpie picked it up and carried it
off. Of course this all happened just moments before I arrived!! I was
able to see a few photos of the bird that the landowners had taken (I think
they had adopted the bird as a pet since it had been spending so much time
there) along with a few video clips. From what I could see, the bird
appeared to be a hatchyear male of the albilora race. Some of the photos
seemed to show bright legs and feet (pink) on an otherwise brightly plumaged
bird (not as dull as one might expect for a female) and the flanks appeared
streaked with strong black markings whereas the head appeared to be lacking
bold black streaks as well as any sign of a black cap. I later turned my
attention to the fir tree that had apparently harboured the sharpie. I was
able to find enough feathers (somehow the ones with yellow fringes hurt me
the most) to include a few rectrices. I have the right and left outermost
rectrices and the white spot is restricted to the distal third of the web
and the feathers are rather pointed, worn, indicating they are retained
juvenile feathers.

Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.

sincerely,

Don Cecile (dcecile at sd70.bc.ca)
Vice-Principal
Mount Klitsa Junior Secondary
5100 Tebo Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 6Z5
tel: (250)723-8195
fax: (250)723-3583