Lireo Designs

Creating usable website solutions

734.418.8604

6524 Durham Canton, MI 48187 USA

  • Home
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Contact

What is that Mystery Bird?

May 15, 2010 By Deborah Edwards-Onoro

On our drive home through the neighborhood last night, I spotted a bird perched on the edge of a rooftop. The size of a robin, I was surprised to see the white breast, and quickly shot a few pictures.

The bird had the same markings of a robin, flew like a robin, and exhibited the same foraging behavior searching for worms.

Black and white American Robin sits on rooftop.

Like the old saying, if it looks like a duck, flies like a duck, it must be a duck.

Yep, it was a robin—a leucistic robin. Or more precisely, a piebald robin.

I had never heard of leucism, but if you do a Google search, you’ll find many sightings of leucistic robins.

Leucism is a genetic mutation that only affects a bird’s feather color. There are different variations of leucism. Birds with portions or patches of their feathers without color are called “pied” or “piebald”. Birds with all-white plumage are called “leucistic”.

Leucism vs. Albinism

A leucistic bird is different from an albino bird. Leucistic birds only have color mutations in their feathers, while albino birds have lost color or show pale color in their eyes, beak, feathers, legs, and feet.

Many thanks to my friends and fellow birders Dona and Bob Arthurs, for their help in identifying the bird.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: birds, birdwatching, Piebald Robin

Birdwatching at Magee Marsh

May 10, 2010 By Deborah Edwards-Onoro

For over 15 years we’ve traveled to Magee Marsh in early May to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day and watch warblers, thrushes, and other birds return north.

The boardwalk at Magee Marsh is packed with birders (people who watch birds) with their binoculars and cameras hoping to add another bird to their life list. It’s something I look forward to every year.

Bird collage calendar

We join hundreds of birders each year who get up early and head out on the famous boardwalk. “Did you see the Northern Parula? It’s on the second loop to the right.”

Birders are an interesting group; people of all ages go birdwatching. They are some of the friendliest and most willing people to share and teach others I’ve ever met.

By the end of the day we all have “birder’s back” and welcome the opportunity to sit down in the car to review the birds we’ve seen.

This year we saw just over three dozen birds as well as snakes, turtles, and deer (and license plates from over 30 states and two Canadian provinces).

The surprise for the day was when four American White Pelicans flew overhead (see photo below). Not what we expected to see in northwestern Ohio!

As we left Magee Marsh, I overheard a couple chatting in front of us. The woman commented to her male companion, We met some interesting characters today.

I wasn’t sure if she meant people on the boardwalk, or birds.

Sign at entrance of Magee Marsh boardwalk
Magnolia warbler
Egret on the side of the swamp
downy woodpecker
Butterfly on the deck going out to the marsh
Cool looking tree stumps
Pelicans flying over Magee Marsh
Beautiful pink and blue sky during sunset at Magee Marsh
Rachel Carson quote on a trail sign along boardwalk
birdwatching at Magee Marsh

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: birds, birdwatching, Magee Marsh

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28

Get New Posts by Email

Get notified of new posts by email.

What I Write About

I write about many web topics, focusing on accessibility, using WordPress, and improving user experience.

You’ll also find web design resources and my photo of the week.

Recent Posts

  • Accessibility Specialists Need to Look Beyond Conformance
  • Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Quotes to Live By
  • Photo of the Week: Bald Eagles on the Frozen Ice

Testimonials

Deborah is highly responsive, thorough, and expansive in providing up-to-date, highly informed web support services.

She is also generous with her expertise while focusing clearly on exactly what needs to be done. I recommend her highly!

Deb Nystrom, Reveln Consulting

Stay in touch!

Corrections Policy

If you find incorrect or misinformation in a post, contact me by email. Include the post URL and provide a description of the issue.

What I Recommend

Harvest time tracking and invoicing application

Please note this is an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after selecting the link.

I’ve used Harvest for 10+ years and I recommend them because they’re helpful, useful, and make my work easier.

Website Design

We consider your goals, audience, and content to present the best solution to fit your needs. Using best practices, we create a website that engages your visitors with clear calls to action. Contact us today.

WordPress Training

Whether you're a WordPress beginner or want to expand your WordPress knowledge, we offer WordPress training to fit your needs.

Optimization

Is your website being found? Our analysis of your website and competition will provide optimization strategies for improving your website traffic and ensuring people learn about your organization.

Return to top of page

© Copyright 2007–2021 • All Rights Reserved • Lireo Designs

Privacy Policy • Accessibility Statement