Saturday, September 17, 2011

Albino hummingbird

My mother-in-law called this morning to let us know that a white hummingbird had come to their feeders yesterday.  She knew that I would be interested in trying to get a picture of it.  I believe that it is truly an albino hummingbird.  In doing further research online, I found that there are albino and Leucistic Ruby Throated hummingbirds.  Leucisitic birds still have dark coloring on their bills, feet and eyes.  This bird does not.  They are reportedly very rare.  It was an amazing sight!
I have been checking online to find an organization that might be interested in knowing of an albino sighting, but only found one in the Carolinas.  I sent an email to the Cornell Lab of Orinthology and am awaiting a return email.  Does anyone else have a suggestion?
 
 


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5 comments:

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

I know your in Illinois and the Uof I does a hummingbird tagging every year...they might be interested? Mine is still here and probably will leave any day. Wonderful picture that would be amazing to have a feeder!

HolleyGarden said...

What a wonderful sighting! I hope he returns for you next year!

Katie said...

I love this post. I've never seen a white hummingbird either. I went to look for my "Birds of the Eastern US" book, but my attention wandered before it turned up. Big surprise.

When we lived in Costa Rica, we saw SO MANY different kinds of hummingbirds. Unbelievable, really. But never a white one.

Anonymous said...

Truly a unique sighting. Thanks so much for sharing.

charlie b. said...

Wow, that's pretty awesome! I don't think I've ever seen an albino bird of any kind... What a treat to see an albino hummingbird! Your photos of it are fantastic.