We only try to catch juncos, but when you have nets up in good habitat, some accidental capture of other species seems to be inevitable. These other species—our “bycatch”—are quickly extracted from the nets and released, although not without a few photos first.
Fox Sparrow
Do you know who I am?
Unhand me at once!
I am ashamed, for what I am about to do is entirely beneath my dignity. But you leave me no choice.
BITE ATTACK!
Male Golden-crowned Kinglet
Wow you’re a big animal.
You must be using size to compensate for something. Perhaps you lack…
…a crown?
Female American Robin
Omigosh omigosh.
Maybe if I stretch out horizontally, it will think I’m a twig and let go of me.
Male Red-breasted Nuthatch
You think I’m intimidated by you? Hah!
I spend all my time hanging head-first from the sides of trees. I’m not scared of anything.
This whole situation is beneath me.
Unknown (anyone?) flycatcher
Hrumph.
Now I’m giving you the eyeball.
Yeah, YOU.
We caught two other birds too, but they were so cool that I’m giving them their own separate post. Be excited.
(If you like bycatch posts, you can find last year’s in the “bycatch” category. We had some great birds last year too!)
Tough Little Birds 
I think I like the Fox Sparrow the best in this group. I am looking forward to seeing the other two :-). They must be spectacular.
I love the Fox Sparrow, with his chunky bill and elegant grey head. We caught one last year too and I was really happy to get another one.
The photos are amazing, I found them all really interesting. I am looking forward to you next post.
I am excited! What birds could they be?
You are so lucky to be able to get up close to these birds! And, luckily for the bycatch (I picture one of the little birds saying “Bycatch? Who you calling bycatch?”) you seem to genuinely care for these wonderful creatures. I guess that is an important part of being a field biologist.