The third photo shows a Chipping Sparrow in adult (breeding) plumage and the fourth photo appears to show the Chipping Sparrow feeding the bird in white plumage. And the fifth photo appears to show the bird in white plumage engaged in begging behavior. And in all the photos the white bird appears quite a bit larger than the Chipping Sparrow and the posture isn't consistent with Chipping Sparrows. These photos support Scott's suggestion that the white bird is a juvenile Cowbird being fed by an adult Chipping Sparrow, a species frequently parasitized by Cowbirds.
SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM, rostrhamus <scottesev...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Great photos, The chunky size of this bird, head shape, and generally > overt begging behavior make me wonder if it's an juvenile Brown-headed > Cowbird!? Well whatever it is, it's a fun series of pics! > > Thanks for sharing, > > Scott S. > Longmont > > On Aug 3, 12:15 pm, Goldi Loucks <goldilou...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > Since there is a lot of interest in Chipping Sparrows this year, I > thought I'd let you folks know of another posting I just found by one of the > expert birders down here in So Co: > > > > Paul spotted an "all white" bird on his way home from work yesterday. We > went back this morning to take a look. We found the bird just inside the > entrance to Cuchara Mountain Resort, on Hwy 12...approximately 14 miles > south of La Veta, Colorado, on Huerfano County. Date of confirmed sighting > 08/01/09. This Chipping Sparrow was our first true albino bird! > > > > Paul and Polly Neldner > > La Veta, Colorado > > Huerfano County > > Paul and Polly are both very experienced birders...and besides, they got > great photos! One or two are of a regularly feathered adult feeding the > very light and white, youngster. I was not there, I have not seen the > original photos (they have an awesome digital camera, I'm betting the > originals are a higher resolution)...and cannot tell from the posted > photos if the eyes are red and the feet pink. I also understand lots of > folks use the term 'albino' for a bird with very little, or light color. It > is my understanding that if the bird has dark eyes and feet, it would be > lucistic rather than albino. By copy of this note...I hope to hear from > Polly. > > > > Polly posted the photos here: > http://www.greatpikespeakbirdingtrail.org/photo/photo/listForContribu... > > > > Beverly Jensen > > La Veta, Huerfano Co, COwww.RuralChatter.blogspot.com > > > > P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
