I have seen a lot of crazy stuff, one which included a Black-throated Gray Warbler keeping company with a Lazuli Bunting 😮 During the breeding period, we did learn that both were using the same bush to nest in but separate families. I do know that the instinct to feed is very strong so it's not unlikely that this Warbler got mixed up and seen an adult with food, and naturally, the adult fed it. This happens across bird species. I have a photo (witnessed and took) of an adult Western Tanager begging a worm from an adult Robin? Now in this case it was not fed haha Coincidently, it was the same week / same place as the above encounter. I have also seen an accidental fledging of an Osprey that landed in another nest down the river.. the parent came back and fed it.. waited till it was done before chasing off. 😮 So, this is very cool.. and wonderful documentation of yet another way the bird world adapts and survives. Thank you for this story and for being so observant. Remember the Red Tail chick raised by the Eagles a few years back? (or was that last year cause my memory sucks)

Sammy
Sequim

________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> on behalf of Dave Slager <dave.slager at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2020 10:31 AM
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Tweeters] Strange warbler family in Seattle

Tweeters,

This morning I saw a real oddity at Carkeek Park in Seattle: An adult Wilson's Warbler feeding a fledgling Black-throated Gray Warbler. At first I thought my eyes must be making a mistake, but I watched 7 feeding events, so it was the real deal. The youngster did not appear to be a hybrid.

I can think of a few ways this might have come about, but they all sound pretty far-fetched. I've never seen anything like this before. Has anyone out there in Tweeterdom seen something like this, or heard about an instance?

In case anyone is interested in looking for it, it was right by the Honey Bucket in the middle of Carkeek Park, just below the water treatment facility.

Dave Slager
Seattle, WA
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