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I need help identifying a bird.

11 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 ♱

11 years ago

Knowing where you are would help.

tj

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Comments (10)

sparky_10
11 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
11 years ago
I am in Southeastern Michigan in a rural area with forest nearby and lots of open fields.
catherinet
11 years ago
Not exactly what you described, but maybe either a titmouse or a junco?
jackieg51 thanked catherinet
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
11 years ago
Maybe a Hoary Redpoll?

Claire
jackieg51 thanked claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
jackieg51
Original Author
11 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
11 years ago
Snow bunting?
jackieg51 thanked homegrowninthe603
catherinet
11 years ago
last modified: 11 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
11 years ago
Sounds like a strong possibility. I'll look up the snow bunting and see if it looks familiar.
deeinmd
11 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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