Something a little different!

[Pam_M]

I spotted this Leucistic House Sparrow (F) today on a walk in the Wyre Forest! A delightful though somewhat unusual little bird!

[Ollie]

Quite a pretty little thing Pam. We have one that visits the feeders regularly but it hasn't anywhere near as much white on it as this one.

[diggleken]

Snow Bunting dad?

[nigel_b]

Excellent.

Is is pronounced loycistic?

[ron1863]

Nice shot and very pretty little bird.

[Ruth Daniel]

Nice images Pam,I particulary like the 2nd pic as it shows off the beautiful and unusual markings of the bird........and nice for you to see a House Sparrow too eh?!

[squishy]

wow! what an unusual and pretty little thing


(i believe it is pronounced lewcistic by the way (well thats how i say it anyway ))

[kazzz1969]

Great picture. He has beautiful colours and markings.

[Pam_M]

A pleasure to share the Leucistic Sparrow pic with you all and thank you for your kind replies everyone! Nice to find something a little different!

I like the idea of a Snow Bunting being the dad, diggleken!

It was a joy to see the House Sparrows, Ruth! I just wish they would visit my garden!

I see the correct pronunciation is ''loo-kiss-tic'', Nigel! Though I use the same pronunciation as squishy!

Found this on the net.

The terms ''leucistic'' and ''leucism'' are derived from medical terminology. The prefix ''leuc-'' is the Latin variant of ''leuk-'' from the Greek ''leukos'' meaning "white" (see Steadman’s, Dorland’s or Taber’s medical dictionaries). The correct pronunciation of ''leucistic'' is (''loo-kiss-tic'') and ''leucism'' is (''loo-kism'') since the prefix in Greek and Latin are pronounced with the hard C or K sound. Since the prefix ''leuc-'' is a variant of ''leuk-'', in medical circles the terms may also be spelled with a k (''leukistic'' and ''leukism'').

[Ruth Daniel]

Originally Posted by Pam_M

The terms ''leucistic'' and ''leucism'' are derived from medical terminology. The prefix ''leuc-'' is the Latin variant of ''leuk-'' from the Greek ''leukos'' meaning "white" (see Steadman’s, Dorland’s or Taber’s medical dictionaries). The correct pronunciation of ''leucistic'' is (''loo-kiss-tic'') and ''leucism'' is (''loo-kism'') since the prefix in Greek and Latin are pronounced with the hard C or K sound. Since the prefix ''leuc-'' is a variant of ''leuk-'', in medical circles the terms may also be spelled with a k (''leukistic'' and ''leukism'').

Interesting,thanks Pam.
I can understand the medical link too ie;Leukaemia as it involves white blood cells.