Unusual colour of eggs of a female western Yellow-breasted Chat in the south Okanagan valley, British Columbia, Canada

René McKibbin and Christine A Bishop1

Environment Canada, 5421 Robertson Rd., Delta, B.C.  V4K 3N2;   e-mail: rene.mckibbin@ec.gc.ca and cab.bishop@ec.gc.ca
1 Corresponding Author

Abstract:  In 2006 and 2007, there was a deviant colour in four clutches of eggs of one female Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens auricollis). The eggs lacked the characteristic distinct brownish spots. This was the only occurrence among the eggs in 265 nests inspected from 2001 to 2007 in the south Okanagan valley, British Columbia, Canada. Eggs of the same female had normal brown spots in 2005. The observations of nests were part of a survey of breeding success and habitat needs in this endangered population of chats.

Key words: Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens auricollis, egg colour, protoporphyrin

PDFicon McKibbin, R. and C.A. Bishop. 2008. Unusual colour of eggs of a female western Yellow-breasted Chat in the south Okanagan valley, British Columbia, Canada. British Columbia Birds 18:23-24.

 

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