Date: 12/27/25 5:49 pm From: Fred Kaluza <fredkaluza...> Subject: Re: [birders] Two returning American Tree Sparrows
If not breeding partners…close traveling companions for sure! Maybe even nest-mates?
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From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...>
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2025 6:17:49 PM
To: BIRDERS@UMICH <birders...>
Subject: [birders] Two returning American Tree Sparrows
Birders,
Since 2004, I have been banding birds in my tiny (0.15 acre) suburban/urban yard in Inkster between October and March to study the population dynamics and site fidelity of "my" birds. I frequently get Dark-eyed Juncos returning in subsequent winters, and have also had smaller numbers of American Tree Sparrows returning (numbers have been low the past few years). This morning I recaptured two American Tree Sparrows at the same time, and fairly close to each other, that were both captured and banded (as adults) on January 28th, 2025, again captured at the same time and fairly close to each other. It is tempting to think this might be a mated pair, but in winter their sexes cannot be determined with much confidence. And, like most songbirds, they are not known to mate for life but instead will mate with different partners each year. Still, I thought it was interesting enough to share.
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