Just to put it on the record (for Gene? Russell? the Keeper of databases in
the sky?), Gil McDonald wrote that he too had an albino black-capped
chickadee at his feeder recently, also with a largely white cap and white
back. He lives at 62nd St. and 7th Ave. NW, I guess out of range of Rachel
Lawson's (Queen Anne), David Chelimer's (south side), and Fred Bird's and
my (Maple Leaf) birds. It is really astounding that all these birds have
appeared (is increased UV radiation bleaching the backs of our chickadees?
global warming dissolving their pigments? a prankster with a paint gun? a
virus-carried mutation?). Or is it merely the *communication* that WOSNEWS
and Tweeters provide that has facilitated our learning about the widespread
nature of this phenomenon? What really amazes me is how similar the
descriptions are of these birds. Typically the crown, back, and/or tail are
white. No reports yet of white-throated, white-sided, or white-winged
chickadees, no reports of albinistic chestnut-backs (but this species is
much less common in Seattle). Anything to report from outside of Seattle?

My considered scientific opinion, based on years of ornithological
training, is that this is really far out!


Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound email: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416