Clay, I don't think food could be totally ruled out. For example, the amount of carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), or other substance in the diet could be factor. How they are metabolized, another factor, or if there's some congenital or genetic blip in the bird that affects how nutrients are processed in the body. If I rightly recollect, carotene influences the color of Kestrel legs. Nutrients in the plants that bugs eat can vary widely, depending on what's in the soil, and other growing conditions, and so on, and so on.... Meredith Sampson Old Greenwich -- "Clay Taylor" <ctaylor@att.net> wrote: Sarah - Contact is a maybe (but against what???), food-based is more doubtful - what insects could impart a yellowish cast to emerging feathers, and what quantities / duration of feeding would be necessary to cover the entire molt process? A baby bird in the nest that is receiving the same kind of bug from its parents might receive the necessary dosage, but wouldn't that also make the white along the throat and face turn yellow? Clay Taylor Moodus, CT ctaylor@att.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peregrine Information Consultants" <info@peregrineinfo.com> To: "CT Birding Listserv" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:07 PM Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Mystery Kingbird Revealed > I wonder if diet or other factors (such as contact with vegetation) might produce the yellow "wash"? > > Sarah > > Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS > 860-676-2228 > > Peregrine Information Consultants > www.peregrineinfo.com > Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health, business, and medical professionals > > Grace Notes > www.grace-notes.com > Program annotations, research, and writing services for classical musical ensembles and the professionals who serve them > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _____________________________________________________________ Click here and choose from thousands of high quality used cars. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3oE0b9OGCrv8LPVM0ZRQjA5GdzcLIDeLkAPSdBdQctEz4X42/