Arizona Field Ornithologist
©2008
HOME | REPORT SIGHTINGS | PHOTOS | BIRDING | JOURNAL | ABOUT US | CHECKLISTS | MIGRATION COUNT | EVENTS | LINKS

erythristic White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Tucson, Pima County

This White-crowned Sparrow was photographed by Elaine Padovani on 12 March 2012.

Aberrant plumages are not uncommon in birds, especially luecism and melanism, but this White-crowned has an excess of red pigment, a condition known as erythrism or erythrochroism, which is much rarer. 

For an article by David Sibley on abnormal coloration in birds click here


12 March 2012, photo by Elaine Padovani

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer

Submitted on 31 March 2012

©2005
HOME | REPORT SIGHTINGS | PHOTOS | BIRDING | JOURNAL | ABOUT US | CHECKLISTS | AZ BIRD COMMITTEE | EVENTS | LINKS