On July 15, 2006 (10:41 AM EST) I was taking pictures of some Bluebirds when I saw what looked like a white hummingbird buzzing along the tree line in my backyard. I wasn't sure what I saw but after picking up my jaw from the floor I noticed the white hummingbird sitting on a branch with a goldfinch about 50 yards away. The white hummer did not visit the hummingbird feeder but seemed to be interested in the goldfinch as the male goldfinch flew down to the finch feeder. The White Hummer then flew over to a branch for a rest, she then buzzed over to a yellow leaf that was suspended by some kind of web and lunged at it a few times, possibly feeding on some small insects. The Hummer then flew into the tree canopy and was gone.

Luckily, I managed to capture eight images (during a period of about 30 seconds). The pictures are not the greatest, as the white hummer was about 20-30 yards away but the Sigma 50-500 zoom lens on my Nikon D70s did capture some important details.

While I was observing Hummer I thought I was seeing an albino Ruby-Throated Hummingbird but after a little research on the internet I now believe that Hummer is not a true albino but leucistic. I will be contacting experts to confirm. However, as indicated on www.rubythoat.org and www.hiltonpond.org, true albino Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds not only have completely white plumage but also have red eyes and orange/red beaks and pink legs. While the odd looking Hummer lacked completely white plumage she does appear to have, a dark red beak, redish eyes and pink legs. The Hummer, I believe is a leucistic Ruby-Throated Hummingbird as she is not entirely white. She appears to have some coloration (light tan) which extends from the crown of her head to her tail feathers. I also think the Hummer is a female due to her size (she appears larger than males I've seen) and her color pattern appears female for the species.

More information on leucistic Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds: http://www.rubythroat.org/Article990813.html

Update 7/17/06: I have not seen White Hummer since my initial observation on 7/15/06. I will continue to keep an eye out for her. I have sent an email to The Michigan HummerNet Project Director, Allen Chartier to inform him of the observation. I have also contacted neighbors who have hummingbird feeders and informed them to let me know if they see a very strange looking hummingbird at their feeder!

Update 12/10/06: I never saw the White Hummer again. I did send all of the images of the Hummer to Allen Chartier who will be reviewing them himself and sending them to a colleague who is studying albino and leucistic hummingbirds.