Re: Albino American Robin

[Tyler Stuart]

Hi everyone,

Jessica Watkins and I were hiking in Williams Canyon in Manitou Springs (El Paso County) this afternoon. We stopped to watch 5 or 6 raucous, foraging Steller's Jays at about 3 p.m. and a few minutes later spotted the white bird in the link below. We IDed it as an albino American Robin, with calls heard to support the ID.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/comtneer/sets/72157629020802115/with/6758236675/

Before today, I had not seen nor heard of albinism in robins, but having now looked at several websites and articles, I see that it is not terribly rare. From what I have read, robins account for 8.2% of all cases of albinism in birds, and it occur either partially or in full in about 1 out of 30,000 robins. Today's bird was a partial albino, with a small spot of orange on its breast/belly and dark wings. Fortunately for this bird, it has a dark pupil (as opposed to red), offering better protection against sunlight.

If you would like to try to locate the bird: After walking at a moderate-to-brisk pace for 25-30 minutes, beginning at the Cave of the Winds Exit Only arch, the trail crosses a rocky area and the stream in very close by (in the form of a waterfall). This is also the last spot where you will have a view of the hills of Manitou to the south for awhile. The bird was approximately 1/8 to 1/4-mile beyond (north). At the bird's location, there is a cliff band relatively close to the trail to the west. The bird was on the west side of the trail, mostly on the ground, but occasionally perching in the scrub oak and foraging on berries in the junipers. There are two large Douglas-fir on the west side of the trail. ***If you happen to locate the bird, please try not to disturb it. Albinism shortens life.***

On another note, I heard many a Solitaire along the way today.

Happy birding,

Tyler Stuart

Manitou Springs, CO