The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society has established a Bird Observatory (The San Fernando Valley Bird Observatory). Organized by biologist and master bird-bander, Mark Osokow, its purpose is to conduct research on birds in and around the San Fernando Valley.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in research on birds, including bird banding, contact Mark and the SFVBO at SFVBirdObservatory@sfvaudubon.x (replace x with org). Watch for more information on this effort in the near future.
The photos here show two male House Finches. The House Finch is California’s most numerous bird species and is also the most variable in color. Males range from having bright strawberry colored breasts and throats to those with dull yellowish color so restricted that they are barely distinguishable from females — even when held in the hand! The function of this color variation in House Finches, and other species as well, remains an active area of ornithological research.