Crow with white feather pattern

Jersali · #1 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 06:45 PM

Can anyone help with this please?
Saw this Crow flying briefly today, it appeared to have white edges to the wing feathers - got a quick shot but not one in flight unfortunately, not seen this before, is it unusual? why does it happen?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 07:12 PM

Can't see it that clearly (on the phone). Either leucism if there was actual white pigment in the feathers. This bird is a 1st winter and it could just be wear in the primaries.

Jersali · #3 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 07:02 PM

Thanks DH, are crows nomadic? it would be good to look out for it

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersali

Thanks DH, are crows nomadic? it would be good to look out for it

Yes worth looking out for. The British population of carrion crows is very sedentary and tends not to move very far at all. Most only move a short distance from where they were born. You sometimes get local movements of birds into coastal areas or areas with a high food source such as a tip. This mainly occurs in winter. Since this is a 1st winter bird it is unlikely it will breed this year (2012) and may not even breed next year. So it will hang around with other immature birds during the summer on the edge of breeding territories and close to food sources.

Jersali · #5 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 08:27 PM

Thanks Dan.
I will return and hopefully follow up with a flight shot

RoyW · #6 (**permalink**) 24-01-2012, 07:14 AM

White-winged crows are actually locally quite frequently seen in some areas (including some areas near where I live). Try googling "white winged carrion crows", or just "white winged crows" (the latter will bring up similar examples of American Crows). Most commonly there is a white band across the middle of the wing.

It has been suggested that it could possibly be linked to diet, perhaps in combination with some genetic influence, but I don't think that anyone really knows why these white winged crows occur in some regions.

Jersali · #7 (**permalink**) 24-01-2012, 05:32 PM

Hello Roy,
yes there are lots of examples of crows with white bands, dapples or just wing tips, does this mean that variation is likely to increase with generations of breeding?

maryclareevans · #8 (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 03:40 PM

the female of this year's pair of crows (they're mating) has regular white feathering on both wings which can only be seen when she opens her wings when it's very obvious. This is a new pair since the last few years (I presume the cock bird is the same) and will be easy to follow over the years with this distinguishing marking. This pair see off all other birds and squirrels.
This is in a large rural garden in Swansea South Wales