Beth Fishkind
American Wigeon, Partial Leucistic?
American Wigeon (Anas americana)
Massapequa, Long Island, NY
Nov. 23, 2014
{Edit: Jan. 27, 2015] Originally I wondered if this was a hybrid, but it isn't. It may be a partial leucistic bird, or more likely, a bird that's slightly turned and showing the white of it's belly..
Here's an explanation of leucism from Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" site:
"Leucism: Extra-pale plumage. Leucism is related to albinism, but in this case the normal pigmentation is diluted rather than lacking, resulting in birds whose plumage is lighter than normal, but not pure white. Plumage patterns, such as a mask or wingbars, often remain detectable." (www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/faq/master_folder/att...)
American Wigeon, Partial Leucistic?
American Wigeon (Anas americana)
Massapequa, Long Island, NY
Nov. 23, 2014
{Edit: Jan. 27, 2015] Originally I wondered if this was a hybrid, but it isn't. It may be a partial leucistic bird, or more likely, a bird that's slightly turned and showing the white of it's belly..
Here's an explanation of leucism from Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" site:
"Leucism: Extra-pale plumage. Leucism is related to albinism, but in this case the normal pigmentation is diluted rather than lacking, resulting in birds whose plumage is lighter than normal, but not pure white. Plumage patterns, such as a mask or wingbars, often remain detectable." (www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/faq/master_folder/att...)