Some Tweeters and Inland Birders are aware that there is a White-crowned
Sparrow banding project occurring in the Tri-Cities area. Details and
updates can be seen at http://lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org/WCSP.htm Birds
are being color banded to indicate age and year banded but not individuals.


On April 29, we were banding at the Finley location and had 2 White-crowns
in the ground trap. We noted that one was a dark lored bird; likely a
Mountain White-crown (Z. l. oriantha) instead of the typical subspecies that
we band which is Gambel's White-crown (Z. l. gambelii, light lored). The
lore was not as thick as pictured in the sparrow identification guides but
they were definitely black. Bill shape was different and bill measurements
were in the oriantha range. Pictures at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22949601 at N08/3490546575/

Today, May 2, Bill and I observed a fully black-lored White-crowned Sparrow
in our yard.

>From the Birds of Washington: "Mountain White-crown: Uncommon local
breeder in ne Pend Oreille Co. and Blue Mts., first recorded in WA during
1970 at Salmo Pass (Smith et al. 1997) Migratory movements in Washington
unknown."

At least some have passed through the Tri-Cities.

Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland WA