Tweeters,

Slate Peak is certainly a high altitude for Brown-headed Cowbirds. However,
it's not a record for the Pacific Northwest. Wayne Campbell et al., in
"Birds of British Columbia" (Vol. 4, 2001) report cowbirds at an
altitude of 2440 metres (8000 feet) near Tatlayoko Lake in the
Coast Mountains of BC. They also noted that juvenile cowbirds are
frequently seen in alpine areas, at least in recent years.

Campbell et al. make a point of reporting the altitudinal range of sightings
for nearly every bird species, at least among the passerines. It's one of
the unique features of this 4-volume set. I don't know of any other state or
provincial bird book that makes such a point of reporting altitudinal ranges
for bird species.

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Wimberger" <wimbo at ups.edu>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 3:50 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Elevation records for BH Cowbirds?


Hi Tweeters,
Does anyone know if elevation records are kept for Brown-headed
Cowbirds? I recently saw one at the top of Slate Peak (7440') following
large vertebrates (humans) around to hawk insects they scared up or killed
by swatting. It seemed a bit high for the species.

Thanks,

Peter Wimberger
wimbo at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA