Black Chested, Black Capped CHickadee? Sask Canada (1 Viewer)

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AlainaLee

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2012

• #1

Spotted this guy while going through my pictures.. thought it was a black capped chickadee.. .. is this usual for them to have a black breast?

thanks for any help

 

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RJP

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2012

• #2

Yes, that's the first time I have seen that on a Chickadee. Aberrant plumage of some kind ("partially melanistic"?).

 

ospr3y

Osprey Fanatic

• Nov 7, 2012

• #3

Earlier this year I had a Mourning Dove with a peculiarly dark spot on the chest. Turns out it had been drinking from an oily puddle down the street.

Could be a similar case with your bird.

 

Last edited: Nov 7, 2012

ospr3y

Osprey Fanatic

• Nov 7, 2012

• #4

Here's a picture

 

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A

AlainaLee

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2012

• #5

thats awesome!! There was a whole group of them on the same group of trees, but only the one had black..and unfortunately most liquids are frozen about now.. still could have brushed up on something.. guess it will be a mystery!

 

K

Kratter

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2012

• #6

Seems more likely that the bird lost some breast feathers and now you can see the underlying dark bases of other feathers.

Andy

 

A

AlainaLee

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2012

• #7

Kratter said:

Seems more likely that the bird lost some breast feathers and now you can see the underlying dark bases of other feathers.

Andy

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ohhh that could be! we have cats around.. thanks!