Even though my study species is White-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys), we sometimes catch other hungry birds by accident. This is a dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) that wandered into our research traps for a quick birdseed snack. They’re fun to see and we let them go on their way as soon as they are satisfied with their free snack!

[Photo and caption by Carly Hawkins]

Carly studies how bird songs influence mating strategies in white-crowned sparrows. She is interested in how traffic noise can impede the ability to assess bird songs and subsequently affects reproductive success. To learn more about Carly’s field work, check out her other Field Frames here and here!

[Edited by Karli Chudeau]