[TN-Bird] Albinistic Red-tailed Hawk (Washington Co.)

30 December 2004
Washington County, TN


The "white" hawk reported by Don Holt (on Bristol-birds net - 16 Dec 2004)
was seen again yesterday in the same area (Snapp Bridge - along Nolichucky
River).  Don Holt, J.T. McNeil, and I were able to observe it for about
20-30 minutes in great light.

I must say, this bird is absolutely gorgeous!  It is a Red-tailed Hawk (we
heard it calling as it was being harassed by an American Kestrel), but it
is "snow-white".  There does not appear to be any pigmented feathers at
all, as would be the case in partial albinism.  The tail is also solid
white.  However, the bird still possesses normal leg color (did not look
pinkish) and the eyes appear to be dark.  This bird seems to be exhibiting
incomplete albinism.

The best "scouting" location is probably the New Salem Baptist Church
cemetery.  This is where Don observed it on the 16th and we spotted it from
here immediately upon arrival.  The cemetery looks over a good section of
the Nolichucky River floodplain around Snapp Bridge.  The church is located
at the intersection of Lester Snapp Road and Frank Stanton Road in the
southwestern corner of Washington County.  It is well worth getting a look
at!



Thomas S. McNeil
Elizabethton, TN
tsmcneil@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
tsmcneil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



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