[obol] aberrant plumage

[Bobbett Pierce]

Glancing out at the ground birds under my pole feeder (E. GROSBEAKs, M. 
DOVEs, V. THRUSH,  LLBs) I noticed a white patch among them that was out of 
place, but moving.  Getting my binoculars, there was a PINE SISKIN that was 
pure white all over, but with normal wing coloration.  It was with a couple 
of dozen typical siskins.  I haven't seen it all winter long, even tho I've 
been getting siskins continually.  I also have a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE 
visiting that has white tail feathers, making it easy to identify.  Now that 
many birds are donning their brighter summer feathers, I wonder if the white 
bird molted oddly, so new feathers are coming in that lack color.  The 
white-tailed chickadee is new, as well.  Perhaps previously they were 
normal?  Lona Pierce, Warren

_________________________________________________________________
FREE online classifieds from Windows Live Expo – buy and sell with people 
you know 
http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.live.com?s_cid=Hotmail_tagline_12/06