Tweets,

Since most of us do not keep cage birds I think it might surprise you to
see what types of cage birds are kept by the many peoples moving into our
region in seek of agricultural and other work.
Cage birds are often not purchased at pet stores, but rather captured and
domesticated. Any bird will do, though most often it is one of the brightly
colored species.
A few years back there was a report of a Yellow-billed Magpie near
Scootenay Reservoir along SR-395. Another example of a captive release or
escapee for certain.
Any sedentary species that shows up in Washington should be viewed with
some skepticism as to origin.
Two years ago a bobwhite showed up near Moses Lake, calling from a tractor
seat for several mornings. While Bowhite were once released into Washington
for hunting purposes, they were extirpated in the east. This was obviously a
released bird, probably as a training aid for dogs or a 'pay-to-hunt'
situation. The Gambel's Quail near Potholes State Park last year were
probably released birds, if they were indeed properly identified.
Personally I still add them to my supplemental state list under the heading
"probable escapee or released bird" so that they are at least documented.

Cheers

Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA
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