This afternoon my husband and I birded around the Columbia WLR. At the
O'Sullivan Dam boat launch we watched what we believe to be a tricolored
blackbird. We were no more than 30 feet from this bird and watched it for
about 5 min before it flew down the shore closer to the dam. Though the bird
seemed to be staying closer to the yellow headed blackbirds in the area, it
was near enough to red winged blackbirds for a close comparison. The white
median coverts were a bright white and had no trace of yellow or even buff.
The red was much darker than on the nearby redwings. (The red on the
redwings, when the sun hit it right, almost glowed as a red-orange. That did
not happen with the red on this bird.)

We didn't hear the bird. This bird did stand out, though. We both noticed
it as being "different." Our initial first thought was that the tail seemed
different...maybe a bit longer?

We have never seen one before, but have been fooled by what could appear to
be white at a distance, but ended up being a pale yellow or buff. This bird
was CLEARLY white. The amount of white appeared to be greater than the
amount of red.

When we watched it, it was in the willows to the left of the ramp. If anyone
else happens to be in that area, please be on the lookout for this bird.

Great day to be birding there. We saw lots, but most of our "thrills" are
pretty common for that area. This is a wonderful place to explore!

Jan Watson
Rochester, WA

PS The black backed woodpecker is still up at the Nile Rd burn, not that I
saw it, but my husband was able to watch it. I did hear it, but could only
catch it flying.