Subject: [Tweeters] Leucistic Bald Eagles
Date: Sat Feb 29 13:38:00 PST 2020
From: Bud Anderson - falconresearch at gmail.com

There have been at least two different "white"-ish adult Bald Eagles on the
Samish Flats during the last 4 winters. The second one showed up last year
I believe. Andrea Warner might have better records of this.

This is not that uncommon. The first "white" Bald that I saw, a juvenile,
was out at Neah Bay, way back in the 70's.

There have been fairly regular sightings of whitish birds on the Skagit
Flats system over the intervening decades.

The late Bob Merrick had one mated up with a normal morph for several
years, again on Whidbey Island. If I recall correctly, they never produced
young. Maybe a Whidbey person could set me straight on that too?

I suggest that there may be others around. Best to not assume they are the
same birds without markers or some unique identifying features.

For example, how many have noticed that the Skagit juvenile Golden on
Wilson Road has an obvious wing injury and is missing skin/ feathers on the
leading edge of its right wing? This thanks to Gregg Thompsons superb
photos.

Will we be able to ID this bird if it shows up next year? Or will the next
molt obscure it?
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