Cozy

Late one October night I started to remove a bird feeder to fill it when I heard wings flutter then something flew into my chest. I thought either a bat or a bird flew out of the seed hopper. I kept thinking about that night and wondered what it was that flew out and bumped into me.

Then the mystery was solved. Watching the feeders one evening I saw a white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) climbing all over the suet finally settling down on the top. This bird spent almost every fall and winter night sleeping under the top of the suet holder.

February 6, 2011

Leucism

Leucism happens when a mutation occurs that prevents melanin from being deposited in feathers or hair. Albinism is a condition in which there is a complete lack of melanin in the body. Melanin is responsible for dark colorations such as black/brown and red/brown variations.

These images show comparisons of animal species with leucistic pigmentation versus normal pigmentation.

The top left image shows a pale gray or leucistic skunk while its litter mate shows the usual black pigmentation. The two lower left-hand photos show a pale, leucistic female mallard and a typically pigmented duck. The two lower right-hand images show first, the winter plumage we see in an American goldfinch compared to a goldfinch with a white ring (pied) around the birds head.

Peahens out for a stroll

Something you don't see every day. A pair of peahens strolling down the street. I guess they got away from someone's yard. I hope the owners got them back before the birds got hurt or worse.
They sure are adorable!

Raymond, NH. July 24, 2011.