Blackbird with white in tail

[Andreas]

Not only do we have a blackbird without a tail - but we now have one with some white tail feathers and some white wing feathers. Presume an oddball or some form of 'cross'? Photo attached (and it's not the snow that's making the feathers white!)

[thebeard]

its a leucisitic variety which is basically a genetic trait which causes lack of pigmentation, happens in blackbirds and many other species, notably corvids

[big bill]

Hello Andreas like the beard has said the bird is leuchistic and happens in most of the corvid family,you can see quite a lot of them about at times sometimes they appear to be all white

[glsammy]

For those of you who aren't aware of our local celebrity "blackbird" here he is:



Been at Rufford Park for at least three years.

[thebeard]

big bill, is your first leucistic Blackbird not a starling?

and graham, thats quite an impresive looking bl..... whitebird! does he breed? or are all the females put off by his appearance?

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by thebeard

big bill, is your first leucistic Blackbird not a starling?

and graham, thats quite an impresive looking bl..... whitebird! does he breed? or are all the females put off by his appearance?

It mixes perfectly normally with the other thrushes, They don't appear to care about its colour.
I've seen no evidence of it mating, but then again it disappears for months at a time so it could easily have a mate and I wouldn't be any the wiser.