Partially leucistic sparrow
(not the best photos, but the best I could get at the time)
I noticed some almost fluorescent white stripes on one of the birds flitting around in the lilac branches and ran for the camera.
Once I saw it through the lens I realized it was a sparrow... but, I've never seen it around previously and now...not since that day although I do watch for it.
I can't believe how white the feathers were. Like I said... almost fluorescent in that they were so bright white. It is a little female... and, she seems not bothered at all by them...and, other than a few perfectly matched feathers, it was all the "leucism" she sported. The others didn't seem to treat her any differently... she was just there hanging out with everybody. Pecking at nuts and seeds in the feeders and jumping in and out of the lilac branches. And, then, she was gone ....
When I see the same size group of sparrows each day I more or less assume they are the same darn group. But, obviously she came from somewhere else... or with a different group..or maybe she is even flitting about by herself. Who knows with birds... as usual.....
Here is some info on leucisim.
Leucistic sparrows are far more prevalent than the Albinos. Spotting a sparrow with a few white parts, you might consider it to be a Partial Albino. However, the correct term for such a species is Leucine.
Whereas Albinos lack all the color pigmentation, resulting in entirely white feathers and white plumage, Leucinos are affected by a partial loss of pigmentation. This deficiency of pigmentation usually occurs in the feathers, while the soft parts remain intact.
In contrast to the Albino Sparrows, Leucistic sparrows appear to live somewhat everyday life, like their other mates. Even if not in massive amounts, the presence of melanin in their bodies aids the bird in better eyesight and stronger feathers than an absolute Albino.
Interestingly, there is often a variation in the intensity of leucism on the bird’s body, exhibiting alterations in its white feathers. With every new cycle of molding, the spread of white feathers may increase or decrease.
The photo beside this one shows her from the back and you can see the perfect symmetry of the few white feathers...which seems unusual. Often, it seems, the lack of pigment causes blotchy coloration in the photos I have seen of them.
Partially leucistic sparrow
(not the best photos, but the best I could get at the time)
I noticed some almost fluorescent white stripes on one of the birds flitting around in the lilac branches and ran for the camera.
Once I saw it through the lens I realized it was a sparrow... but, I've never seen it around previously and now...not since that day although I do watch for it.
I can't believe how white the feathers were. Like I said... almost fluorescent in that they were so bright white. It is a little female... and, she seems not bothered at all by them...and, other than a few perfectly matched feathers, it was all the "leucism" she sported. The others didn't seem to treat her any differently... she was just there hanging out with everybody. Pecking at nuts and seeds in the feeders and jumping in and out of the lilac branches. And, then, she was gone ....
When I see the same size group of sparrows each day I more or less assume they are the same darn group. But, obviously she came from somewhere else... or with a different group..or maybe she is even flitting about by herself. Who knows with birds... as usual.....
Here is some info on leucisim.
Leucistic sparrows are far more prevalent than the Albinos. Spotting a sparrow with a few white parts, you might consider it to be a Partial Albino. However, the correct term for such a species is Leucine.
Whereas Albinos lack all the color pigmentation, resulting in entirely white feathers and white plumage, Leucinos are affected by a partial loss of pigmentation. This deficiency of pigmentation usually occurs in the feathers, while the soft parts remain intact.
In contrast to the Albino Sparrows, Leucistic sparrows appear to live somewhat everyday life, like their other mates. Even if not in massive amounts, the presence of melanin in their bodies aids the bird in better eyesight and stronger feathers than an absolute Albino.
Interestingly, there is often a variation in the intensity of leucism on the bird’s body, exhibiting alterations in its white feathers. With every new cycle of molding, the spread of white feathers may increase or decrease.
The photo beside this one shows her from the back and you can see the perfect symmetry of the few white feathers...which seems unusual. Often, it seems, the lack of pigment causes blotchy coloration in the photos I have seen of them.