By Jo Anne Efird, Lifestyles Editor
Thursday, June 19, 2008 — Rara avis.
Rare bird.
It is a rare bird indeed that made its appearance earlier this month in a nest at the home of Martha and Coy Thompson on Canton Road in the Millingport area.
It is an albino bluebird, with pure white feathers and red eyes.
John Howell, Wildlife officer for Stanly County, said albinism can happen in any species but he doesn’t know of any other albino wild animals in the local area.
Helen Munro of the N.C. Bluebird Society said it is “quite rare.” Munro said such birds don’t live very long lives because they are so obvious to predators.
That is the Thompsons biggest fear for it — that something will get it. It really stands out.
That is, indeed, the problem with all albino animals. Their lack of color makes them very visible, Munro said.
Martha Thompson saw the bird first June 9 and knew right away it was unusual. She called her husband to see it.
“I’ve been watching birds 50 years and have never seen one before,” she said.
It was already flying and feathering.
The nest had seven eggs; three of them hatched.
Martha Thompson has 15 bird boxes and checks them every now and then; she has five or six feeders.
“You ought to see her bird feed bill,” her husband said.
She feeds the deer also.
Several Internet sites mentioned the rarity of albino bluebirds but none gave statistics.
Contact Jo Anne Efird at (704) 982-2121 ext. 20.
