Laura Erickson's For the Birds

This exquisite sparrow is one of the most researched species in the world. A seminal research project transported several birds from San Jose, California to a research station in Patuxent, Maryland, and some of the birds had returned and been captured by banders back in San Jose the following year! In my yard they are only passing through in spring and fall, but I treasure them. Immatures in autumn confuse many people with their rufous caps.