[Tweeters] Unusually-plumaged Bewick’s Wren yardbird

[Dee Dee via Tweeters]

Around 10:30 this morning I noticed a Bewick’s Wren in the apple tree branches near the feeders and took a quick look with the binoculars because, though regulars, they are a favorite of mine. I was surprised to notice that this bird had exceptionally dark, almost but not quite black flanks/lower belly, in a broad, continuous band from side to side…which was unusual enough, but I was especially intrigued by the a bluish cast to the dark color. In fact the thought that first came to mind was that this bird had sat itself in a shallow pan of dark ink/dye in someone’s yard! Watching it a moment more I realized I should quit speculating and get the camera, so I did. The wren was by then on one of the feeders so although the photos were only of one side of the bird, I was pleased to see that the camera had successfully captured the hint of blue I had noticed. I have submitted an eBird checklist with a couple of the photos.  I also then looked in Macaulay Library and found that within the last week someone reported a rather similarly-marked Bewick’s Wren in Discovery Park and had a very nice photo of that bird, which has a slightly bigger dark area. So I now will be looking even closer at my yardbirds. If it’s melanism, it’s a switch from all the leucistic birds that have been in my garden over the years.  Anybody else seen Bewicks Wrens like this?

DeeW
Edmonds