Date: 12/7/25 2:42 pm From: Russell Benedict <BenedictR...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Eurasian Tree Sparrows
Thanks for the lesson about Eurasian Tree Sparrows. Given that House Sparrows are strongly dimorphic, it did not occur to me that tree sparrows would be monomorphic. One of the great things about studying nature is that you can spend your whole life studying it and still know only 1 % of all there is to know! Russ, Pella and Knoxville.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
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From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2025 10:51 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Eurasian Tree Sparrows
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Good morning
I have at least seven Eurasian Tree Sparrows visiting my bird feeders this morning, between Knoxville and Pella. I have seen them in the Lake Red Rock dam area before, but these are the first in my yard. I am not sure what to think. Will they become invasive? Now I have to learn how to distinguish their females from those of House Sparrows. Russ.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
________________________________
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Robert Hibbitts <hibbittsrhh...>
Sent: Saturday, December 6, 2025 6:55 PM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Saylorville lake birds 12/62025
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Anyone out on Saylorville see the Parasitic Jaeger this morning?
Pacific loon and surf scoter were there as well. Tons of goldeneye and common mergansers. Iceland gull hanging out with ring bills. With USACE closing parks for snow, good hike in to shore. Lots of water birds out this morning. Flyover of trumpeter swans around 6am.
