Rare Bird? Not Really

 

Several years ago, a very rare robin-sized bird, native to Asia, was spotted in Vancouver. This brought the “twitchers” scurrying for their binoculars to add it to their life lists. It even made the CBC noon show. Shortly after this, I got an excited phone call. Someone reported seeing this rare bird in their yard on Lasqueti. I was skeptical. Rare birds are rare. 

   

“No” she said. “Robin-sized with distinctive white markings. ”When I got to her place, sure enough, there it was: a robin-sized bird with white markings. But it wasn’t a rare species. It was a leucistic robin.

   

Leucism is a not-uncommon genetic condition that results in the partial loss of pigmentation in a bird or other animal. It can cause a small degree of white colouring; in some cases, it can turn the entire animal white, such as the famous white ravens of Qualicum.

   

A few years ago, a robin with a white head visited Mark and Jenny. It stayed for a couple of weeks, hunting for worms with the rest of the robins and then left. It came back the next three springs, but it hasn’t been seen since. This November, Wendy and Bruce saw a Dark-eyed Junco with a white head, back and chest in their yard. It stayed for two days feeding with a flock of Juncos and then it was gone. Kaia Bryce saw a leucistic Sparrow.

   

Obviously, this is not a rare phenomenon; but it is startling and exciting to see one. It may confuse you at first, but the size, shape, and neighbouring birds will help identify it.

   

A Reminder: Christmas Bird Count Saturday December 28. Phone Marti 250 240 8879
– Sheila Ray