Yesterday, about 11:30, made a quick jaunt up Turri Road
(photo). I was hoping to see the thousands of tiny sandpipers had been seen resting in the ponds. All the ponds were empty of bird life. My only sighting was of a cheeky Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Continued up the road, about a mile, saw several Western Bluebirds and a Loggerhead Shrike; as I was turning around, caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a mostly white hawk; stopped in the road, fortunately there were no other cars in sight. Was able to get a good view of this unusual beauty soaring over the fields.
The hawk was mostly white, with black wing tips and a slightly reddish tail. This condition is called Leucism, which is caused by defects in pigment cells - a different condition from albinism.
This rare Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk was seen in the same area in early July, and I had forgotten all about it. Needless to say this unanticipated rare sighting was an enormous treat.
No comments:
Post a Comment