All: A couple of months ago one of the big authorities on the birds of South Texas and I had a discussion about whether the winter records of Painted Bunting in San Antonio were wild birds or artifacts of the pet trade. Between an RFI on SATXBirds and the BA contacting other big authorities it was pretty well established that Painted Buntings are sold in certain flea markets. The net result of our discussion was that both hypotheses are viable.
Richard can testify to the fact that some of those flea markets are very close to the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, one of the most heavily birded sites in San Antonio TX. In the thirty-nine years I have birded San Antonio Painted Buntings have been not uncommon in proper habitat during the warmer months. On this month's, today's, 4th Saturday Bird Tour at MLAC we had singing males at two locations. This was not particular surprise to me because two weeks ago they were all over the place in the Frontcountry portion of Government Canyon State Natural Area, in northwestern San Antonio, Bexar County. This is a circuitous way of saying that if Painted Buntings are found in northern states in January, then it makes sense that those birds are escaped cage birds. However, if Painted Buntings show up in northern states around the same time as folks in Central Texas see them, then a case can be made for those birds not being escaped cage birds. As the recent records of Painted Bunting records that I have noticed on the North Dakota and Minnesota listservs, discussion groups, have occurred at about the same time that they showed up in San Antonio, I would vote for those birds not being escaped cage birds. One way to answer the question is to get good photographs of the birds in question and look for wear on wing and tail feathers. Another way to answer the question is to have a licensed bird bander mist net the bird and photograph it in the hand. Hope this helps. Onward! Steve Stevan Hawkins San Antonio TX -----Original Message----- From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:mou-...@lists.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Richard Wood Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:29 AM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: Re: [mou-net] [mou-rba] [mou-net] Painted Bunting?? R. Richard L. Wood, Ph. I'm wondering if this bird is an escapee. R. Richard L. Wood, Ph. D. Hastings, MN rwood...@yahoo.com ________________________________ From: Derek Bakken <spottedtow...@gmail.com> To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 7:37:52 PM Subject: Re: [mou-net] [mou-rba] [mou-net] Painted Bunting?? Hello, As far as I know the Painted Bunting was NOT seen today I was there from 11am-1:30pm It was not seen before me and when I had to go I left my number in case it showed up (I was going to check out the Felton area) but I did not get a phone call. -Derek ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
