Blackbird with white feathers?

colinjcotter · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:11 AM

We've been seeing blackbirds with some white feathers in our garden since I was small. Is this a known type of blackbird?

--cjc

seamusagleann · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:26 AM

hi colin ,welcome to wab , these sighting are quite common ,i believe it's caused by a lack of pigment in the vanes of the feathers ,there is a name for it but it escapes me at the moment ,i'm sure someone will tell you more !!!

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:46 AM

The term is leucistic, Seamus

Colin, it's a natural occurrence that doesn't harm the bird unless it highlights it to predators -

- and is more common in suburban areas.

Welcome to WAB, by the way!

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 08:44 AM

Could it be more common in suburban areas as that is the choice habitat for blackbirds hence a greater abundance of birds, coupled with a greater abundance of people in those areas who are likely to see them?

Is it caused by genetics in dense populations?

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 10:48 AM

Good points there Woodman; I think it's said to be the diet officially, though your points sound perfectly plausible to me!

Madelinew · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 02:47 PM

I have one with white patches on its head. They often don't last as long as other blackbirds due to predation and some are more prone to disease I believe. I've certainly never see one last more than one season but there may be other reasons. I don't know what their breeding chances are - whether or not a female will be more attracted to mate with full black plumage as a sign of a healthier mate or not.

I did once have a snow white blackbird in my garden but he didn't last long.

big bill · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:15 PM

Like what has been stated above its a genetic abnomality within the birds genes which causes the lack of pigmantation in the feathers ,here is one I did the other day it just shows how common it is

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:28 PM

I often see it too...

A male and female pair, both showing partial leucism. From the WAB Gallery.

Stinkhorn · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Colin, was telling me that he has seen a blackbird with the same markings as a child in his garden and then saw this one again this winter in the same garden. Could the SAME markings be inherited through the generations or could it be the same blackbird?