[CT Birds] partially leucistic cardinal

[Peregrine Information Consultants]

Hello,

Of note at our Farmington feeder this week is a partially leucistic female cardinal. She is normally colored except for striking, very bold light-pink wing bars, and central tail feathers of the same light pink color. I saw her for the first time two days ago, which is interesting because I have never noticed her as part of our resident cardinal familie(s) which visit our feeders year-round. She looks otherwise quite healthy, active, and well-fed.

Other feeder notes this week:

Species enjoying our nyger sock: goldfinches, chickadees, 1 house sparrow, 1 junco, and 1 fat grey squirrel

Cooper's hawk (adult female) continues to be seen in the yard every other day or so. Really a beautiful individual. She sits obligingly for long periods as she digests, looking about and showing off her interesting plumage. I never tire of examining how the individual feathers on breast and belly form the overall rusty pattern. So much to appreciate about each bird.

Sharp-shinned hawk (juvenile) trying without success to sneak up on the small birds that hide out in the wistaria tangle. It climbed UP the vine from the ground rather than fly in for a swift attack. It went away hungry.

Red-bellied woodpeckers are at the top of the pecking order, chasing away the blue jays from the suet. An opened beak pushed "in your face, jay" seems to do it.


Sarah

Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS
860-676-2228

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