Leucistic Bald Eagle

[jenniferlbunker]

I shared this on the Facebook "Birding in Utah" group, but wanted to give a follow up on my conversation that with the photographer who I know from another birding group. His name is Lawerence Busch and he gave permission to share the image. His initial post with the photo was:

"Last year when visiting the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge, we heard rumors of a mythical albino bald eagle but did not see it. This year, I met a birder at the refuge who agreed to show me the bird if I promised not to disturb her in her natural environment. (He was concerned that a lot of wildlife photographers unnecessarily disturb wildlife in order to get the 'shot'.) He labeled her a 'blonde' bald eagle. I promised and we drove to the area and I was able to photograph this amazing creature. I visited this area 3 more times and was able to photograph her two more times albeit she was always on private property and I had to photograph from a long distance (heavily cropped). I also kept my promise not to disturb her in her natural environment. Not a great shot but an interesting bird. - Canon 7D, 1/1000sec@F/5.6, ISO160, 390mm (Canon EF100-400mm)."

I asked him where the photo was taken and he said:

"I am unsure of her migratory habits. She resides close to the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge on the California/Oregon border. I live in Scottsdale Arizona and only visited the refuge specifically to photograph the bald eagles in the area and was only there for two days."

I asked when the photo was taken and he said:

" I was there last week. This particular bird does not reside in the refuge but on private property several miles away. Most of the bald eagles in the area are migratory and reside in the area between January through March. I am unsure if she is a permanent resident of the area or not. If I was not guided into the area, I would have never found her. The first time there, she was so far away, the only way that I could spot her was through some very powerful spotting binoculars. She was unrecognizable with the naked eye. Fortunately for me, one of the times that I went back, she was close enough for me to photograph her!"

[Jerry L]

Great looking bird, you could also call that a "dilute-plumaged" bird. Some people interchange the term with leucistic, some people make a distinction. Either way, it is the bird that matters more than the terminology.