Albino Beauty

by Carolyn Hewitt
(Chatham,Ontario)

What's that bird?

What's that bird?

Two days ago I was in my back yard, when this white thing flew by ...... I grabbed my camera and took a few shots.


Well, it was an albino bird and I was so excited, I had never seen one before.

I would like some help in identifying it.

Some have said it's a Cardinal, others a Grosbeak, and some think it's a Sparrow, myself I'm not sure, but I really would love some help.

Thank you Carolyn for sending us the picture of your mystery bird - I hope one of our readers can help identify it!

Comments for Albino Beauty

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starstarstarstarstar 		Couldn't believe it.
by: George

I'm living in Lindsay, Ontario, and have sighted an albino flying with a flock of sparrows. It ground feeds, moving through downed fall leaves. First sighting was at back of lawn, snapped pictures but only got a white blob. Second sighting was under the feeder but my camera was not at the ready. Third sighting was today another brief visit under feeder before flight. This time my cleaning lady was present and confirmed sighting. October 28 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		albino sparrow
by: Kathy

June 2015 - we have had an albino sparrow flying around our deck and feeder for about two weeks. we live in the city of Kitchener. It is now comfortable with the other sparrows, that visit our feeding area and it visits quite regularly now. It is also becoming less "flighty" when the wood peckers, blue jays, cardinals, starlings and doves visit as well.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Albino House Sparrow
by: Anonymous

I live in Smithville and just saw an albino House Sparrow, no time for the camrea, it's September 2 2010.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Carolyn

Thank you for all your help, I'm positive it's a House Sparrow, my neighbor had taken a few photos and The Albino Beauty is sitting with 5 little House Sparrows, other than being white they all look the same.

Thank you and mystery solved!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Albino bird
by: jim

It looks to me like this could be a Canary, Finch or even Brownheaded Cowbird. Finches are usually smaller, but these three birds share the same bill
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Some info
by: Sara

The news back from Cornell Labs is that the bird in the photo could either be a House Sparrow or House Finch.

They suggest to watch the other birds that it spends its time with, and listen to the music it makes.

House finch
http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/house_finch.htm
Picts of both male and female house finch

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Birds/Most-Wanted-Birds/House-Finch
Info pictures and the sound that the bird makes

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040810/News/108100007
pict of an albino house finch with article


Sparrow
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Birds/Most-Wanted-Birds/Song-Sparrow
This is info about a Song Sparrow, plus the sound it makes.

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=BD0149
Here is a bit on House Sparrows and how they sound.

Hopefully this helps.

Thanks for the info Sara, I now know where to go when I have a question about birds!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Might Know
by: Carolyn Hewitt

Thanks for your help, a friend of mine told me it's a Sparrow.

He said it has been hanging around his farm, it's seems to like his mulch pile. I hope he's right but finding out for sure would be nice.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hello again
by: Sara

I have been checking some of the other sites that I visit and was recommended to ask Cornell labs. I sent them an email with your picture of the bird (I did not use your name), so we will see what happens next.

Have a good evening.

Sara

Thanks Sara, here is the thread to link to the discussion about this bird
http://community.birdsandblooms.com/forums/p/294664/3355240.aspx - you may have to paste this in your browser, but this site is full of information.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sara
by: Anonymous

I am asking another site and will let you know what info they come up with.

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