[NatureNS] Carolina Wren has a deformity?

From: "Elizabeth Doull" <edoull@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
References: <B89A9B40-F093-4919-BDC6-17FF3031681A@xcountry.tv>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:03:17 -0300
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Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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A number of birders including myself have successfully seen the Carolina 
Wren, which is now visiting Donna Ensor's feeders (mostly the gazebo)...  I 
came down on a rather drizzly day, which I selected on purpose to ensure I 
would successfully see the wren  -- after dipping out on my first attempt on 
a rather sunny day (six hours).  Plan B worked beautifully as the wren was 
out in the open for the whole hour - allowing ample time to study it in 
detail...

Several times, the wren was feeding altogether with a white breasted 
nuthatch and a red breasted nuthatch plus some chicadees in the gazebo 
platform (where the temperature clock is) . It  also snapped up flies in the 
air and beneath the gazebo roof..  Later on, the wren disappeared into the 
leafy bush by the house and finally came out and perched on a black metallic 
bar of a flower pot (?), not far from where I was (sitting in my car).  I 
noticed something was not right. The wren's beak looked different - 
resembling that of a crossbill.  In other words, the top beak was on the one 
side, the  bottom on the opposite side.  Both were flat, not curved. Has any 
one noticed that, too?? Too bad I didn't bring my camera to take photos... 
Maybe someone else may want to get some photos of the wren's beak.

The albino robin was there.  It could have passed as a pure white dove, but 
its yellow beak was a give way. Two or three feathers in both wings were 
dark grey-brown and a few breast feathers orangey.  I neglected to notice 
its feet, but I think they were white as well.  It came out of the shaded 
trees and foraged on the field across from Donna's house in the evening. 
Donna may want to add  her own observations as well.

Cheers, liz 

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