White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), Patagonia, Santa Cruz County

This White-breasted Nuthatch was photographed by Thomas Martin on 29 January 2015

This otherwise normal-looking White-breasted Nuthatch has abnormally pale brown remiges, probably indicating below-normal melanin pigment in these feathers. Note the white tips on the primaries, which would not be present on strongly worn feathers.

29 January 2015, photo by Thomas Martin

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