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I need help identifying a bird.

9 years ago

I saw a small bird at my feeder that I have never seen before. It looked like a finch in terms of size and shape but it was white with grey wings. I have searched the web but can't find a bird matching this description. Anyone know what kind of bird this could be?

Featured Answer

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

9 years ago

Knowing where you are would help.

tj

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Comments (10)

sparky_10
9 years ago
Possibly some form of leucism in a common bird? http://birding.about.com/od/identifyingbirds/a/leucism.htm
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jackieg51
Original Author
9 years ago
I am in Southeastern Michigan in a rural area with forest nearby and lots of open fields.
catherinet
9 years ago
Not exactly what you described, but maybe either a titmouse or a junco?
jackieg51 thanked catherinet
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
9 years ago
Maybe a Hoary Redpoll?

Claire
jackieg51 thanked claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
jackieg51
Original Author
9 years ago
I have a lot of juncos and titmice, the body on this is different and the coloring is wrong. It is the white body that really threw me.
homegrowninthe603
9 years ago
Snow bunting?
jackieg51 thanked homegrowninthe603
catherinet
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just remembered that at Thanksgiving (central Indiana), I looked out and saw a white bird with with just a little bit of color on it's wings (brown). It was always with a lot of sparrows. I'm thinking it was "just" a mutation.
I wonder if that's what you saw? Did it have any other markings on it? Was it completely white except for the wings? Yeah, a snow bunting is a good possibility.
jackieg51 thanked catherinet
jackieg51
Original Author
9 years ago
Sounds like a strong possibility. I'll look up the snow bunting and see if it looks familiar.
deeinmd
9 years ago
I saw a robin once that was missing about 50 % of its coloring. Very odd looking, but the other robins didn't seem to think so. Robins are smarter than people, it seems.

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