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ODDITIES
Here we will have some pictures of birds in unusual plumages
generally not shown in the books, but which you might encounter.
I guess the best lesson is that usually odd looking birds are
common birds that have pigment abberations. Albinism or
partial albinism, or too much or too little of any color
is possible. One should rely on size, shape, structure,
and behavior to identify these abnormal birds.
Additionaly, odd plumages can be the result of hybridization,
however great care should be made in claiming such. Some species
like Flickers however have lots of hybrids out there.
The key is to get pictures so an expert can identify it.
First we'll show you "greenie" and "whitey" that were here
near Utopia winter '06. Then at the bottom is a hybrid quail
and a couple different Painted Bunting plumages.
Note back color which changed with angle and light !!
Above is a "yellow" morph as they are called, Pine Siskin
near Utopia, TX, 1/22- late April '06. I'd say it is more unusually
green than yellow. However, the amazingly green back faded as the
fresh plumage wore.
Some of the photos taken through two old window panes .....
The bird had unmarked yellow underwings (linings brighter), and an
unmarked yellow patch on lower back like Eurasian Siskin !&$!.
Amount of yellow above on wing and tail in flight stunning.
Bird was present with up to over 80 other "normal" Pine Siskins.
Here is the partially albinistic Chipping Sparrow....
When it flew it had lots of white in tail and wings
like a Snow Bunting, but in all the wrong places.
Here is a real doozy, an oddity among oddities
Bluebob?
A possible/apparent hybrid between
Scaled (aka Blue) Quail and Northern Bobwhite,
near Sabinal, Texas, May '05
This is a 2nd year (about a year old) male Painted Bunting.
Not really an oddity, but not shown in the typical field guides.
This was by all accounts an adult male Painted Bunting,
but which lacked all red pigment, leaving those parts yellow.
Since it was not photographed, all you get is this thumbnail!
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