Another Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is upon us. Led by the Bow Valley Naturalists, the CBC in the Bow Valley will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024. I usually write about the CBC a week before it happens in the Bow Valley, but I think I mixed up my chocolate intake, and here we are. The Bow Valley Naturalists have been involved with the count since 1975, so tomorrow will be the 49th count. Much has changed in recent years, let alone when looking back to 1975. The CBC counts that occur across Canada have become even more important for observing what is going on with our feathered friends.
There’s an important Citizen Science component to the CBC, but it’s also a great way to be social and active as we listen and look to find what species of birds are around us. And there are always some surprises, even if we don’t come across a Common Raven with leucism. This raven was spotted about 56 km from where we will be counting.
Animals with albinism lack melanin, the natural pigment in skin, feathers, hair, and eyes. They tend to appear pale pink or red in color. Leucism, on the other hand, is a defect in pigment cells, which causes animals to have pale or muted colors, or, as in this raven's case, patches of white. If the raven was all white, one way to tell whether the bird has albinism or leucism is by looking at the eyes. With leucism, the raven would have dark-colored eyes, rather than red or pink. Leucism, like albinism, is inherited. The muted colors and patches on an animal’s skin or feathers can vary depending on the genetics of its parents.
So, whether you’re a beginner, an advanced birder, or somewhere in between, dress for the weather and bring a few snacks—chocolate is always a good choice. Enjoy another Christmas Bird Count. And even if you’re not participating in this event, which started in 1900, the next time you see a bird, give it a look for a few extra seconds or a minute and appreciate how amazing birds are.
