Whie Goshawk, Pink Robin

["Greg" <>]

Hi Michael,

I thought that you might be interested in the difference between a 'phase' 
and a 'morph' with respect to bird colours.  The white Goshawk that you saw 
would be more appropriately described as a white 'morph'.  A colour 'phase' 
is a colouration that is not permanent, such as when an immature bird is 
differently coloured to the adult e.g Black-breasted Buzzard and Little 
Eagle, although the Little Eagle adult can be either a light (pale) morph or 
a dark morph, so that species has phases and morphs.
Some field guides use the term 'phase' incorrectly so it is not unexpected 
that many birdwatchers would be misled.
I hope that this has been of interest.

Regards

Greg Clancy