Date:         Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:31:49 -0500
Reply-To:     Eran Tomer <etomer@EMORY.EDU>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Eran Tomer <etomer@EMORY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: (Black-bellied) Carolina Wren?
In-Reply-To:  <002801be6e59$56f516c0$690545cf@ms492279>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Carol & Jeff,
 
I have never seen this variation before and the presence of the
bird for a whole month makes the mudbath idea unlikely.
 
However, I do know that oftentimes genetic color anomalies are not
necessarily body-wide.  Many birds (and other animals) with a single,
simple abnormality in the pigment production mechanism show abnormal
coloration in only one part of their body. A human example would
be those individuals who are dark-haired but have a streak of white hair
in the front.  This is due to a very specific genetic sequence.
 
Sounds like this bird is certainly worthy of photo-documentation.  It
would also be interesting to see if it sings a normal Carolina Wren song
and if it pairs up with a mate in the spring.
 
Best regards
 
- Eran Tomer
  Atlanta, GA
  etomer@emory.edu
 
p.s. A Carolina Wren at a feeder ?  What does it eat there ? Suet ?