Date:         Mon, 14 Jul 2003 22:49:47 -0400
Reply-To:     John Gatchet <gatchet@GCCSDA.ORG>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         John Gatchet <gatchet@GCCSDA.ORG>
Subject:      White Starling/Thank You
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I found a unique European Starling yesterday in my neighborhood east of
Calhoun, GA in Gordon County.  The bird was by the side of the street
and appeared to be all white as I approached the bird.

Upon driving within 10 feet of the bird it appeared to be a dirty white
coloration.  The bird flew into a tree when I drove along side it.  With
video camera in hand I attempted to relocate it, but was not
successful.  I did not want to walk across someone's lawn and so had to
settle for no picture of the bird that was calling (taunting me) from
the the backside of the tree.

My best guess is that this bird was not an albino European Starling, but
rather a leucistic bird.  I once located a Common Raven in Idaho that
had this same gray-brown white coloration and I believe the correct term
for this type of plumage is leucism.  Correct me if this is not the
right terminology.  I tried for this leucistic bird today, but was not
able to locate it.

I am moving from Georgia to Portland, Oregon on July 22 and thus say
thank you to the helpful and excellent birders here in Georgia.  You
have been so gracious and I am taking many positive memories with me.
There are a number of outstanding  birders in this state.  The
politeness and cooperative attitudes of all the Georgia birders I have
encountered is second to none.

We have a chance to be close to children, grandchildren and parents that
is too good to pass even though we love it here in this part of the
country.  Keep up the good work here in Georgia.

I will stay connected to GABOL for some time to see what is happening
here.

John F. Gatchet
Calhoun, GA

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