Bill Teague Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 These photos were taken in Pell City, Alabama, in mid February, 2020. There were two birds, resting in a small tree. I observed them for about 30 minutes, and they did not move at all. I visit this area at least 3 times a day and I have not seen these birds before or since. Best regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Welcome to Whatbird! Those are leucistic Red-winged Blackbirds. Leucism is an uncommon condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in a bird or animal. It's not quite albinism, which is the the complete loss of pigmentation. Very nice find! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneat Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) Agreed. I missed posting this first by only a couple seconds. Edited March 18, 2020 by Sneat Agreed. I missed posting this first by only a couple seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birding Boy Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Agreed, cool bird! (I missed posting this first by about 10 minutes lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Agreed (I missed posting this by about 1 hour) LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Teague Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 Very exciting to know. Thank you very much. I think this is my first find I did not have a clue about. I am posting two more photos taken at the same time just a few feet away. This is the same bird with just a slight difference in the view. There is just a hint of yellow feathers on the breast. This looks like very rich, full winter plumage. Maybe an immature Gold Finch? The birds seemed to be very tired. I can only wonder how far they had travelled. I have not done any research to see their range.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) That is a male American Goldfinch molting into breeding plumage. Edited March 18, 2020 by The Bird Nuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Agree with molting male American Goldfinch. Note: If you have another ID question please start a new thread. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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