A bird of a different feather

I often receive information requests and comments from those who read "Field Notes," and I certainly enjoy the feedback. Sometimes I get a bit of an identification quiz that kind of reminds me of those old jokes young kids would bring home to unsuspecting parents: "Mom, what's black and white and red all over?" Fortunately, picture-grabbing cellphones, along with trail and digital cameras, allow for good opportunities to capture a photo and an easy sharing capability. Mike DeWeese, of Findlay, was ready when just such an opportunity presented itself. An odd-looking avian visitor had been showing up with a hungry group of its friends, and Mike was able to take several telltale photographs. The little guy (or girl) in question is a common house sparrow, one of the most widespread and abundant songbirds in the world today. They are a member of the family of "Old World Sparrows" scientifically known as Passeridae. The house sparrow's scientific name is Passer domesticus, and within that name is a bit of a hint about the habitat the bird prefers. The species thrives best when it's in close proximity of human homes and farms. It is one of the few birds that thrives living among city streets, almost like it's semi-domesticated (domesticus). When the pictures Mike took are first glanced, they could easily be misinterpreted as either a different species or even as an albino bird. Albinism is a genetic disorder that results in the feathers, hair, skin and eyes of an afflicted animal to have little or no color, giving a very pale or white appearance. It's the result of the body's inability to produce or distribute melanin. The eyes are generally very pale, and some may have a red appearance. Albinism is a rare occurrence. In humans, there's a 1 in 18,000-20,000 chance of the malady. In the case of the little bird Mike spotted, the dark area around the eye and on the wing feathers may indicate another less rare — but still unusual — condition. While many have heard of albinism, this house sparrow likely has been affected by leucism. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents melanin from being properly deposited throughout the bird's feathers. They can have patchy white areas where there shouldn't be any, the plumage may look bleached out, or they can have an over-all white appearance. Why is albinism and leucism so rare among wild animals? Both maladies are hereditary, so the genes for the disorders can be passed along to offspring. In a domesticated world, the frequency of these traits can be increased through selective breeding. Wild birds that suffer from these characteristics can have several survival problems. The brighter white coloration can make animals more susceptible to predation, and they may well end up a meal before they reach adulthood. The lighter colored feathers are also weaker and may cause flight difficulties during migratory travel, and could even be over-stressed while escaping that hungry predator. In the bird world, color plays an important role during the breeding season and can be critical in the selection of a healthy mate. Birds missing the identifying coloration of its species may be unable to find a companion. Finally, birds that don't migrate from colder climates rely on their dark feathers to help gather and retain solar heat. The light-colored feathers do a better job of reflecting energy, with a result of a bird that may not be able to survive a harsh climate. By the way, the answer is "a sunburned zebra" — or a newspaper, of course. "Being different simply means you have something unique to offer the world." — Scarlett Vespa Along the way: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz have announced that Shawnee State Forest will expand by more than 1,200 acres. The Division of Forestry acquired the property with a federal partnership grant through the Forest Legacy Program. The 1,252-acre tract in Scioto County is approximately 75 miles south of Columbus and 65 miles east of Cincinnati. The land, located near Shawnee State Park and The Nature Conservancy's Edge of Appalachia Preserve, is now part of the state forest. This purchase will allow ODNR to partner with the Buckeye Trail Association and reroute a section of the Buckeye Trail off the road and through the wooded area. Ohio's Forest Legacy Program, which uses perpetual working forest agreements or fee-simple purchase on working forest lands, was established in 2005. The Division of Forestry has obtained Legacy Program funding to permanently protect 9,720 acres of important working forest land within Ohio. "The expansion will significantly increase Ohio's largest contiguous block of forest, enhancing biodiversity and providing a mix of recreational opportunities, as well as other direct and indirect benefits to all Ohioans," said DeWine. Step outside: • Thursday and Friday: 62nd Ohio Wildlife Management Association Conference, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus. The meeting is sponsored by the Ohio Wildlife Management Association, Ohio Chapter of The Wildlife Society, ODNR Division of Wildlife, The Ohio State University, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Information can be found at www.ohiowildlife.org • Thursday and Friday: Trap and skeet, 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Township Road 243. • Jan. 22-23: Gun Show, Maumee Valley Gun Collector's Association, Wood County Fairgrounds, West Poe Road, Bowling Green. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. • Jan. 29: 23rd Sportsman's Night Out, Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church, 8080 Ohio 12, Hillsboro. Doors open 11 a.m., and admission is free. Visit https://hillsborobiblebaptist.com/sno#433eb2e3-b4dd-4239-9b71-1a72a238bf04 Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com