Subject: [Tweeters] mystery bird
Date: Dec 19 17:10:14 2005
From: Dennis Paulson - dennispaulson at comcast.net


About the funny red and white mystery bird, I wonder if it might be a
canary. Canaries have been bred for red coloration by hybridizing
them with Red Siskins from South America (an endangered species
because it is so popular as a cage bird), and lots of canaries have
white feathers in their plumage. Wild canaries have streaked backs
and sides, rather like this bird, and are shaped about the same. Just
a suggestion. It's difficult for me to believe that an emberizine
(the group including our native sparrows) would have a mutation to
look like this.

Ian, if you would be willing to forward this to wherever it's being
discussed, that's all right with me.

Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382

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