Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Dark-eyed Junco Morph? Jericho VT Backyard Birds


One of the pleasures of backyard birding comes from observing the variations of a given species. This Dark-eyed Junco looks as though it has a mix of Junco and Sparrow genes! 


Looks to be Leucistic.

~KP McFarland (Founder and biologist @vtecostudies, cohost of VPRnet Outdoor Radio, photographer, naturalist, writer, firefighter. Rooted in Green Mountains.)

Read more about unusual birds at Cornell Labs Feeder Watch



                                                                 
                     

                     American Goldfinch with considerable yellow given this is winter plumage.













Young male and female as well as more mature Cardinals brighten even a cloudy day, especially when viewed against a snow white background.






                                        And Blue Jays seem to bring out blue skies with their cries and screeches.




                         
                        For a black bird the Starling does a good job of mimicking the palette of a rainbow.










            Ounce for ounce the Chickadee must be the bravest bird about, with as much energy to match any of its peers.


   







     

              Mourning Doves need mascara to gain that elegant look or as much elegance as a pigeon like bird can attain.





   Mourning Dove all a fluff. 








   White-breasted Nuthatches are the most talented in obtaining peanuts from our peanut feeder. Their acrobat like behaviors create a circus event nearly each time we see them. Occasionally a Red-breasted Nuthatch visits us as well.



                                                            Titmouse with large deep dark eyes of mystery.




          House Finches and an occasional Purple Finch remind us of Valentine's Day, sweet raspberries, cherries and strawberries of spring.








               
                        Speaking of spring, Chickadees seem to sing of spring eternal.







                                        Dark-eyed Junco above and below. Different coats for different folks I guess.

                                                                                                 Baby it's cold outside!





  Note the similarities between the Dark-eyed Junco above and the American Tree Sparrow below. Perhaps they both utilize the same tailor. 










                                             Downy Woodpeckers enjoy our homemade suet.




Ditto for the Hairy Woodpeckers - suet and peanuts draw them close for our viewing pleasure.







        Are you observing birds in your backyard? Send us your backyard bird photos and tell us about your backyard birding experience(s). We will gladly create a guest post of your birds and words! Send to bernie.paquette@yahoo.com. 

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