what the heck?

for the past week or so, i've had Red-Winged Blackbirds at my feeder with snow white feet. at first it was just one bird and now today there were several. it's almost like they've been dipped in a paint bucket. has anyone here ever seen such a thing?
i wish i could get a picture but they are very spooky...and spooky looking too! lol

Might be Scaly Leg Mite.

Try looking up Knemidocoptes mutans-sometimes spelled Cnemidocoptes mutans and see if the illustrations resemble what you're seeing.

excellent try but i don't think it compares to what i've been seeing. my feeder "rests" are black so the feet show up really well and they are pure white from toe to feathered leg. i'll be trying to get a picture. i'll have to use the crazy zoom and hope it comes out reasonably clear.
thanks for your effort!

I vote mites also and I heard that if you can get them to walk around in some peroxide, it will help. Don't know for sure if that's true or even how you would do it. Maybe put it in the bird bath. Does anyone know if it would hurt them if they drank it? Would it lose its effectiveness if the fizz went out? OK, I'm pretty useless here. Good luck!

Check with a vet before doing anything like that!! Suppose they started drinking the peroxide . . .

Resin

lol, no, i won't use peroxide; don't worry, resin. not useless at all, elp. i appreciate any and all thoughts on this mystery.
i am more determined than ever to get a picture. i didn't see them today.
hopefully will post soon with results.
thanks!

well, phooey, i got two shots today, both terrible. i zoomed in as much as my camera would allow but the only thing you can see is distant white feet. this bird is determined not to be photographed.

second picture...no better though.

wow it does have white feet. Really neat

i just hope it's not those mites. i would imagine they would transfer to every bird who lands on that feeder. yuck.