Dennis, thanks for finding this commercial source (see link below) for purchasing Rufous-collared Sparrows within the USA (in California, actually). I was amazed at all the species available for purchase, including birds not normally found in pet shops like Great Thrush and Groove-billed Ani, among others. Given that I70 is a major commercial route to and from California, it certainly becomes more feasible to imagine how a South American passerine might end up in Georgetown. Maybe it escaped from a ground shipment gone bad, so to speak, or an owner of caged birds traveling cross country during a rest stop at Georgetown. However, like many others on this list, I do believe that natural vagrancy is another explanation.
I did send an inquiry to the bird supplier in California about any recent happenings that could explain the presence of the Colorado Rufous-collared Sparrow. I sent the following email message to the store: “Here in Colorado, we recently discovered a Rufous-collared Sparrow, and considered that it may have escaped, perhaps from one of your customers or a shipment passing through Colorado. Have you had any in stock within the last year? Also, last summer an Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (from Mexico or Central America) turned up in South Dakota. Have you had any of these in stock within the last few years? Many thanks in advance for any information. We just want to determine the likelihood that these odd birds may be wild versus escaped from captivity.” I’ll forward any relevant response to the list. One other quick comment. From reading up on the Rufous-collared Sparrow via the internet, I learned that origin is best traced by geographic variation in vocalizations. Given that the bird is frequently singing, perhaps Nathan Pieplow or someone can make a sonogram. OK, one final thought, at least for tonight. If this poor lost male is unmated (a reasonable assumption), perhaps we should help it out by providing a female. At least now we know where we might buy one for $35 . A small population of Rufous-collared Sparrows in Georgetown wouldn’t hurt anything, or would it???? I suspect such a population would end up like the Eurasian Tree-Sparrows near St. Louis, and not the widespread population of House Sparrows (originally introduced from Europe). If they did spread, I bet they would be somewhat innocuous, like Eurasian Collared-Dove. On a positive note, they would attract birding-ecotourism dollars to Georgetown, and they produce a beautiful song. I guess I am opening up a can of worms here. I bet Rufous-collared Sparrows feed worms to their young. OK, I’ll stop rambling here, but I must admit, I am fascinated by the whole thing. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO From: Dennis Garrison Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 12:14 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [cobirds] Why is the Rufous-collared Sparrow likely an escaped cage bird? [snipped]..... In the end, none of us really KNOWS where these birds come from. http://www.birdsexpress.net/rufous-collared-sparrow.html $35 gets you one Dennis Garrison Paonia, Delta County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
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