Female martin with leucistic gene/white spots on head

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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Yesterday was a very noisy, busy day at my colony. Sure enough, after close observation, I found my first sub-adult male sitting on a gourd giving the ASYs a run for their money. :lol: I always LOVE having the subbies back. After having a particularly difficult time raising my teenage son, years ago (he gave ME a run for my money :lol: ), it brings back those memories of how rambunctious, obstinate & energetic a teenager can be. :grin: :lol:

While studying the rest of the colony looking for more subbies, I noticed this little girl sitting on top of the gourd and when she turned her head, I saw the multiple white spots on the top. With marks like this, I'll be able to closely track her over the next seasons. :lol: 8)

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"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
Posts: 1728
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair

Kathy:

That is neat. I never had a leutistic martin at my other colony.

Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
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John Miller
Posts: 4863
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

It's like a tiara. You can name her Kate.

John M
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Terry
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:33 pm
Location: Curtice, OH

Kathy, I have a male with white spot's on his neck. He has nested here for at least three years and maybe as a sub as well?
He is at least 4 yr's old,I call him Freckle's.
He was late getting here by close to two week's behind the first arriaval's.
His compartment is already taken and as of today i'm not sure he has a mate yet. I see him now and then checking his old home and have no idea where he will end up. Just hope he get's a girl soon and settle's in.

He was one of many two year's ago that lost all their young around July 4th., due to bad weather and lack of insect's.
Last year he and his mate fledged 5 youngster's.
So he has not abandoned this site because of nest failure. I think the reason they failed is for them to know and i feel other's that failed also returned.
So IMHO nest failure's will not alway's cause them to abandon one's site.

Your female will be one to keep an eye on. It's really neat to be able to identify and know certian individual's in your colony. Enjoy her for as long as you can!
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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

lol John, I love it....a Tiara and name her Kate. I agree.

Kathy, that is really neat to have a bird you can definitely identify. It will be interesting to watch for her from year to year. Keep us updated.
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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