13 replies to this topic

[Aveschapines]

I've been dying to spot a leucistic bird; is this my lucky day??? Just one white feather, but that counts, right? It's obviously immature so maybe the color will come in later, right?

Also, last year I posted a photo of a male with gray, downy feathers all over his back and people here tried to convince me that it was just showing its mantle, but I see that individual often and it always looks that way; and now there are a group of downy, gray-backed babies. Would that be leucism? I'll go see if I still have the photo of the adult make; I haven't gotten any of the babies yet.

[Aveschapines]

Here's the male from last year; as I said, I've seen at least three babies with the same pattern on the back. Are they leucistic too?

[meghann]

I don't think the gray one counts as leucism, because there IS coloring, even though it's off. Don't quote me on that, though.

The first bird, though, is a yes! Even just one feather counts!

[fisherman1313]

Sorry to break the bad news Helen but I think your first bird just has a little white paint on its back. Just kidding! Yes, you do have a partially leucistic House Sparrow. The second one is not leucistic, just showing a lot of down. It's like he's just laying around in his underwear relaxing. The explanation for the second bird and the similar looking babies could just be another mutation, similar to the types that give us frilled pigeons or crested Canaries.

[Aveschapines]

Sorry to break the bad news Helen but I think your first bird just has a little white paint on its back. Just kidding! Yes, you do have a partially leucistic House Sparrow. The second one is not leucistic, just showing a lot of down. It's like he's just laying around in his underwear relaxing. The explanation for the second bird and the similar looking babies could just be another mutation, similar to the types that give us frilled pigeons or crested Canaries.

HAHA If you lived here you'd know how ridiculous that idea is - where would a sparrow get into WHITE paint??? If it had been purple, green, peach, bright yellow or orange I'd say yes, a neighbor is painting their house!

I saw her again later, and when she flew I could see that most of her tail feathers are white too!

That makes sense about the fluffy gray male; maybe he's a cool urban youth wearing his pants low so his underwear shows constantly. Maybe I can develop a fancy breed of House Sparrows and make a lot of money!

[JimBob]

Ugh, I'm still looking for my first. . . I'll find one some day!

[Aveschapines]

You'll find one, JimBob, and maybe it will be more exciting than a House Sparrow!

[JimBob]

I hope!! (meaning better then a HOSP)

[Aveschapines]

Got her again today showing off some of her other white feathers. When she flies, the edges of the tail shows white. Kind of cool looking! Maybe I like the leucistic birds because I started going leucistic myself when I was 15!!!

[creeker]

Still kicking myself for not having a camera with me last Spring, when I saw a male Black-headed Grosbeak with a completely white head.

[Forestina]

What is a leucistic bird? Just one that does not develop the color it should?

[Aveschapines]

What is a leucistic bird? Just one that does not develop the color it should?

Yes; sometimes a bird's feathers (some or all of them) don't have melanin in them so they are white instead of colored as usual for their species, or sometimes just lighter in color and tone. Albino birds lack the pigment everywhere, so their eyes appear red and their bill, legs and feet won't have the normal coloration for their species.

If you look at my House Sparrow, you can see a white feather on the right wing and also in the newer pics you get a glimpse of the white tail feathers. House Sparrows normally don't have white in those areas. On the wing, the fact that the color pattern isn't symmetrical is a major clue that it might be leucism or some other abnormality rather than the bird's natural coloration.

[fisherman1313]

Forestina, here is a link to an article about leucism: http://www.birds.cor...ism_Leucism.htm

[Forestina]

Interesting! Thank you