[EBB Sightings] White Bird, ID uncertain

Tried hard to make it into a McKay's Bunting but everything points to
leucistic junco. Bill looks thicker and longer than McBu, long tail, short
wings, lack of orange in non-breeding plumage, presence of white on
primaries, all rule out McBu. Odd bird.

Bruce Mast
Oakland

-----Original Message-----
From: sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com
[mailto:sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com] On Behalf Of susan stanton
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 3:36 PM
To: birds
Subject: [EBB Sightings] White Bird, ID uncertain

Today while hiking in Sunol (McCorkle Trail, about 1/4 mile above the
intersection with Canyon View Trail) we saw a mostly white bird.  It was
foraging on the ground with several juncos, and appeared to be slightly
larger than the juncos.  Pink bill, white breast and back, black eye stripe,
and black striped tail area.  My husband got some pictures:

www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/sstanton/WhiteBird_1.htm


www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/sstanton/bird2.htm

The first picture also has a junco in the frame.  

(You may have to be patient, the Chabot server is slow.)

At first I thought it might be a bunting, but it doesn't really match up.
My best guess is leucistic junco, but I am open to other suggestions.

Sue




      
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