White Blackbird

Whity · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 10:09 PM

About 3 weeks ago we saw what looks like a blackbird in out garden but its head was white.
We have seen it several times since and it seems to be nesting nearby.
Today i was able to get a picture of it and its something i've never seen before and wanted to know if its a common thing or not?
Its brown/black in colour and then pure white head fethers.
Any info would be great has i'm not a bird watcher but think this guy is cool

Ferret · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 10:21 PM

Hi Whity , sounds like a Blackbird showing partial Albinism this can be caused by all sorts of things from poor diet, trauma or it could be genetic. Post us your photo and someone will confirm if it is a Blackbird and may be able to give more info.

Whity · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 10:47 PM

have added 2 photos to the gallary,

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/pi...umbs=&mature=0

Jez · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 10:54 PM

Never seen the likes before until about feb! Blackbird with white flecks on neck! I wondered if it was an Ouzel throw back?

Cazzie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:13 PM

Got no idea atm - piccy won't load!!!

Am intrigued tho!

Jez · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:14 PM

Thought it was just me-photo wouldn't load up for me neither!

Cazzie · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:20 PM

Try again Whity!!!

Whity · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:23 PM

how do i get these pictures to come up?
if someone could private mail me there email addy i could send them that way?

thanks for helps on this

Bub-les · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:24 PM

try again but upload them to the archive section rather than the gallery
Barbara

Cazzie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 12:03 AM

Sorted!

Tis a blackbird - I know that much lol!

Jez · #11 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 12:25 AM

Now how do you go about uploading other members photos?

Jez · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Nice photo's by the way Whity!

Yes very similar to my blackbird visitor axcept white around neck!

demicav · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 08:23 AM

Unusual Blackbird.

solus · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 10:40 AM

Yup, male Blackbird with white feathers.

This is (relatively) common in Blackbirds and may be anything from one feather to the whole bird being white, but with normally coloured legs, eyes and bill so not truly albino.

Kayleigh · #15 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 04:00 PM

Aw he looks like he has a cap on

Nice pics Whity

Elizabeth B · #16 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 04:34 PM

This is the blackbird that visited our bird table regularly in 2006.

big bill · #17 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 05:46 PM

I think the word is Luestistic (dont know if spelt right) it happens in quite a few birds something to do with abnormal genes which causes the white parts in the feathers ,I had one visiting last year like this and since then have noticed it in quite a few Blackbirds,Starlings Crows so it looks quite common

Elizabeth B · #18 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bill

I think the word is Luestistic (dont know if spelt right) it happens in quite a few birds something to do with abnormal genes which causes the white parts in the feathers ,I had one visiting last year like this and since then have noticed it in quite a few Blackbirds,Starlings Crows so it looks quite common

We thought this at first - and named our bird Lucien!

However, we found later that we should have described him as a partial albino.

Edited, to add - the word is spelt leucistic

Elizabeth B · #19 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:45 PM

I've just tracked down the site where albinism, partial albinism and leucism are explained:

British Garden Birds - Blackbird

Jez · #20 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bill

I think the word is Luestistic (dont know if spelt right) it happens in quite a few birds something to do with abnormal genes which causes the white parts in the feathers ,I had one visiting last year like this and since then have noticed it in quite a few Blackbirds,Starlings Crows so it looks quite common

Funny how this thread has come about as I saw a Jackdaw with this type of marking on it at work this morning!

shei111 · #21 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:51 PM

Hello I think hes been helping someone to paint the ceiling

lovely all the same . sheila

Whity · #22 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:55 PM

thanks for all your help on this, he is nesting close by and we see him and his misses regularly so will have to see what the offspring turn out like.

Cazzie · #23 (**permalink**) 13-04-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

Now how do you go about uploading other members photos?

Can't tell ya - tis a secret!!! haha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whity

thanks for all your help on this, he is nesting close by and we see him and his misses regularly so will have to see what the offspring turn out like.

Looking forward to an update Whity!

Jez · #24 (**permalink**) 13-04-2008, 11:10 PM

I know the secret i just didn't read the post properly!

Cazzie · #25 (**permalink**) 13-04-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

I know the secret i just didn't read the post properly!

lol!