Leucistic Birds have you seen any ?

[wyevilla]

About 10 years ago there was a leucistic blackbird that lived in South Walks in Dorchester. It was known by all as the "Black & White Bird" and had a about 50% white in a heavy asymmetrical blotching all over. The dark feathers were jet black and so we presumed it to be male. It also had a bright yellow beak.

After a few years, the bird must have died as it disappeared from view. However, it seems it has not quite gone without trace. Last week I saw another blackbird with white streaks - not as heavily marked as the old one, but in the same location in the Walks.

It seems that the genes persist in the population and continue to express itself in later generations.

I wonder, has any research been done into the population dynamics of this phenomonon in wild populations?

[Jason Green]

I'm not sure if this answers your question in part at least Neil, but there is a higher incidence of leucism in blackbirds found around built-up areas... maybe someone else can confirm this.

[wyevilla]

Thanks Jason - How interesting!!

One would assume more cats in urban areas and yet, perhaps, less "natural" predators such as sparrowhawks.

On the other hand do humans in some way influence survival rates of rarer colour morphs. Does polution raise their incidence due to higher mutatation rates?

This is just begging for the attention of a budding PhD.

[John]

This was a major surprise to me. I went to Grimley New Workings, near Worcester today, for the Juvenile Black Tern. That was easily found and photographed but what I wasn't expecting was a Leucistic Martin (probably a Sand Martin as it seemed to be flying with them rather than the House Martins).

I managed two very distant photos of the bird (it was about 100+ yards away) so they have been heavily cropped. They are poor quality because of the distance away from me but at least you can see the bird.

Has anyone else ever seen a Leucistic Martin or Swallow?


John

[Swirlything]

Hi, long time no login <.<'

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I thought I'd share. Over the last few years I've seen a beautiful white jackdaw on a semi-regular basis, always picking over the same patch of grass or sitting on a roof next to it, often with a mate.

I think it's leucistic rather than albino as there's a bit of colour in the beak- but I haven't got close enough to see if the eyes are pink. As jackdaws have pale eyes anyway. Otherwise though, it's pure white.

It's nice to see this handsome bird surviving so well for so long I'm trying to get a photo, but I'm always on the bus when I see it and the bus pulls off before I can fumble the camera out!

[Jonsfotos]

Originally Posted by MagpieMick

Hello all,

Leucism is found in most if not all animals and birds, where colour pigment is missing resulting in pale or white instead of colour.
These are the leucistic birds that i've seen:

Curlew at Oare Marsh, Kent
Blackbird at Pulbourgh Brooks, W.Sussex
Oystercatcher at Farne Islands, Northumberland
Sedge Warbler at Rye Harbour, E.Sussex
Blackbird at Sevenoaks Reserve, Kent ( as photo )

Have you seen any ?

How about this one.....a sparrow i photographed early one morning before work.Have not seen her since that morning, although there is one about with a couple of white coverts.Also a female, it could be the same one after the moult.

Jon

[DaiTheDragon]

The oddest one I have seen is this Bullfinch, taken last January

Dai

[pliers]

I have seen a leucistic Starling.

regards brian.

[2dogs2000]

I am assuming this is a leucistic muscovy duck.

[Muggsy]

Originally Posted by John

Has anyone else ever seen a Leucistic Martin or Swallow?


John

I got quite excited during the 2007 migration in Sept/Oct when a white swallow arrived at the farm and stayed for a couple of days. It was with many others hunting insects around the cattle in the fields outside my house.

I was actually so excited, that for the first time ever, I decided to contact the RSPB. I was surprised at the general disinterest to be honest, anyway they suggested I phone their representative somewhere around the south east coast and gave me his number. (I do hope he's a member here )
I told him that I was telephoning so that maybe others would be able to keep an eye open and see it as it made its way southward, well it was a first for me. The man was most indignant, apparently having his dinner, it was the first and last time I ever notify the RSPB about anything.

Anyway John, as you can see, the answer is yes someone has seen a leucistic swallow.