BS: Ornithology

Subject: BS: Ornithology 'leucistic' great tits
From: Jim McLean
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 10:37 AM

Are there any knowledgable ornithologists out there? I have just photographed four 'leucistic' great tits in my garden in North London, UK, and would like to discuss this with someone.
Cheers,
Jim McLean

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Peter T.
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 10:48 AM

One of my favourite words -- When I am tired and washed out, I always say that I am leucistic. (I know nothing about birds). Though everyone should see Winged Migration!!

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Metchosin
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 11:48 AM

ahhh! imagine those two exposing themselves again, what is this world coming too? Let us know if you manage to snap any photos of great brown tits, Spaw would probably be interested.

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:23 PM

Wouldn't an anatomist be the right person to discuss with about the great tits? ;-) SCNR ;-)

Btw, none of my dictionaries (paper or online) contain the word leucistic. What does it mean?

Must be something special, otherwise the great tits would be very boring birds...

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:43 PM

It's the opposite of "melanistic".

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:47 PM

It's apeculiar term in birdwatching -- birds are divided into albinistic and leucistic. Leucite, as a root, means kind of grayish, but I know no more, except that Peterusing it to mean tired is funny because it puns on the leukocytic process. Not same but funny.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:50 PM

Ah, here we go:

"Describes plumage aberration of genetic origin, typically of faded or washed-out coloration."(B25 - waterfowl identification associated terms)

- Plumage aberration of genetic origin, typically of faded or washed-out colouration; not to be confused with albinism."(B8 - waterfowl natural history associated terms).

From http://212.187.155.84/wnv/Lists_Gloss&Refs/List_Keywords.htm.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:53 PM

The term is also applied to geckos, axolotls and hognose snakes, for example. Here's a picture of a lecistic gecko for your entertainment. Actually it is the business end of Spaw's organ. As you can see it isn't getting much exposure to daylight....


A

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:04 PM

Thanks, Amos, for explaining the word!

Carol, I drew a blank on melanistic as well - but thanks to Amos I think to know what melanistic means (too much color)...

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Mark Clark
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:23 PM

And here I thought this was a Charlie Parker thread discussing the real Ornithology. Come to find out this thread is for the birds, not Bird.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:41 PM

Sorry MudGuard. I was being a smart-ass. Couldn't help myself for some reason.

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:49 PM

Amos, if your organ is getting a lot of light, you're not using it properly. They are natural cave dwellers and always in search of a cave. If yours is seeing a lot of daylight you are spending too much time searching and not enough "caving."

Getting a lot of good ornithnologic conversation here huh? Betcher really glad you posted...............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 02:10 PM

I'm no ornithologist, but great tits are great tits, whether leucistic, melanistic or albinistic. They're all great. Hell, even lesser tits are great tits.

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 02:31 PM

No problem, Carol, I like to give answers of that style myself ;-)

MudGuard/Andy

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 03:16 PM

feathered or unfeathered birds?

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 03:40 PM

Jim--judging by the response to your question--you can safely assume there are no ornithologists on here. Post a photo if you can or even better post one to The Bird Observatory--Holme--Norfolk :o)

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Jim McLean
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:32 PM

I did enjoy the response, patronisingly, but Mudcatters are light hearted people! I would like to post a photo but don't know how. Can I find The Bird Observatory on the net? A rhetorical question as I shall try Google. Thanks all,
Jim McLean

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Yvonne
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 01:32 PM

Hi, Jim

Sorry--what I meant to type was-- Norfolk Ornithological Association,
Holme Observatory, Holme, Norfolk. Yes, they do have a web site but can not remember it. If you put 'NOA' in the google search engine you will find it :o)
Diz

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 03:15 PM

Thanks Diz, found it OK. They were pleased to hear from me. I contacted the RSPB and they were astonished and puzzled by my photo. Have sent copies to various ornithological places worldwide as these birds seem to be very rare.
Cheers,
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Yvonne
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 02:03 PM

Would love a photograph myself! What did they look like? I can not find anything in any of my ref books?

Anyway, glad to be of help--and (being a sad anorak) I am very, very envious!

Cheers

Diz

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 02:47 PM

Spawlunking ? Spewlunking ? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Schantieman
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 04:45 AM

Here's another one.

How rare are skylarks? In the sand dunes north of Liverpool they seem to be quite common - walking along the promenade I tend to see/hear them about everty quarter of a mile or so. A few weeks ago I saw & heard one on the Long Mynd in Shropshire. Another yesterday (heard but not seen) in the dunes at Ainsdale.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Jim McLean
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 06:30 AM

Diz, PM me or post your email address and I'll send you a photo.
Cheers,
Jim McLean

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:53 AM

Not a great ornithologist myself but we a currently minding 2 baby robins who are the result of a breeding pair in our climbing hydrangea! It is only a small 'courtyard' style yard but full of greenery which invites, as well as the robins, blackbirds ans a host of others.

Trouble is, and why we are having to watch, is our resident moggie, Homer. He has decided he would like to mind the 'babies' himself but we are not sure his intentions a completely honourable! Ah well. Couple of days and they should be flying and sitting in the house gutters, looking down at Homer and laughing along with all the sparrows:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: GUEST,Waylon Heron
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:56 AM

Peter T says he 'knows nothing about birds'. Oh woe is me! Is all forgot! How can he be so cruel as to forget me so soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Ornithology
From: Yvonne
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 01:47 PM

Hey, Steve

Skylarks are not rare but not as prevelant as they used to be due to modern farming methods :o(

They are a joy to hear around the Hoylake area in the spring, I agree.

It is considered to be very lucky to have Robins' nest in your garden but extremely unlucky if one should enter your house!! Not a clue why?

Will pm you Jim--thanks for that.

Diz