Yellow-faced Grassquit - Texas

On 30 January Samuel Taylor observed and photographed an ABA Code-4 Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) at Goose Island State Park north of Rockport, Texas.

Yellow-faced Grassquit is resident on the Gulf slope of northeast Mexico (central Nuevo Leon and southern Tamaulipas) south to the Pacific slope of northern Ecuador (ABA Checklist, Seventh Edition, Pranty et al.). They are resident in the Greater Antilles with the nominate subspecies, T. o. olivaceous, occurring there.  They feed primarily on the seeds of various grasses including Paspalum sp., the seeds which are highly nutritious.  In its range, Yellow-faced Grassquit may number as many as 5 million individuals (IUCN estimate) and the population is predicted to continue to increase (Birdlife International 2009). 

Where resident in northern Mexico, Yellow-faced Grassquit prefers semiarid weedy fields, second growth, and forest edge. There are three reports of this species from South Texas between January 1990 and 29 September 2003,plus an immature female was reported last year in late December from Laredo, Texas, in more typical habitat, “reedy cane” (Chip Clouse, pers. comm.).

Comments

[kayleen]

I was at Goose Island State Park this morning (2/7) and he is still there. I was amongst those lucky enough to see it this morning.

[Jeff Jordan]

I was at Goose Island State Park 2-9-2011 and saw the Grassquit and also shot a few pictures of the bird. Very colorful. I also live here in Rockport. If you would like a pic drop me a line or facebook.

[Steve Maxson]

I heard about the Yellow-faced Grasquit while visiting the area last week. I went and I saw it. The bird is still at Goose Island State Park as of 2/25/2011. A beautiful bird!

[Thomas Judd]

Saw the Yellow-faced Grassquit today at Goose Island S.P., 3/15/11. Several other birders were there to see him as well. He's hanging around in the company of some Chipping and Lincoln's Sparrows. Just heard about him by chance when visiting Aransas NWR. earlier in the day. Very cool bird! Got a couple of so-so photos, will post on fb.