next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
All: I received a phone call from one of the nurses at the small hospital in Musqudoboit Harbour, HRM, about a white hummingbird coming to bee balm and feeders in a small garden behind the buillding. Presumably it's a Ruby-throated, although said to appear slightly larger (as white birds will). Although we know that hummingbirds feathers are "structural," and not pigment-based, their feathers do contain pigments, usually black (melanins) and perceived colour results from pigment particle size and feather structure. This one appears to have a little wash of buff dorsally, so maybe a dash of phaeomelanin (brown pigment) was unaffected. Anyway, a neat bird, although not too unusual here, and visitors are welcome - check at the front desk. Cheers, Ian McLaren
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects