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Jeff Wilson | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Leucistic and full to partially albinistic birds tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Leucistic and full to partially albinistic birds

Over time, I've been fortunate to find quite a few birds in pale, washed out, white or partially white plumage. The dilution of coloration is call Leucism which differs from albinism. I'll be going back and looking through my slides and adding to this list as I've seen many pale species from shorebirds to vultures. I've seen more ducks than any other type with leucistic tendencies but that may be because they are more obvious. Untill recently, I'd never seen a leucistic bird that I could ID as a male. (See recently added melinistic and dilute male Mallard photos plus a leucistic Least Sandpiper)
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Full Albino - Common Grackle
Full Albino - Common Grackle		 Leucistic - Horned Lark - 12-4-04 Dyer Co. TN.
Leucistic - Horned Lark - 12-4-04 Dyer Co. TN.		 Leucistic Horned Lark - 12-4-04
Leucistic Horned Lark - 12-4-04		 Mallard - leucistic - speculum
Mallard - leucistic - speculum
Mallard - male - dilute pl.- head on
Mallard - male - dilute pl.- head on		 Mallard - male -dilute pl.- tail
Mallard - male -dilute pl.- tail		 Mallard - melanistic - 11-19-05 Lauderdale Waterfowl Refuge
Mallard - melanistic - 11-19-05 Lauderdale Waterfowl Refuge		 Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 - Lake Co. TN
Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 - Lake Co. TN
Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 -
Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 -		 Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 -
Least Sandpiper - leucistic - 12-3-05 -		 Northern Pintail - albinistic - front - 12-31-06
Northern Pintail - albinistic - front - 12-31-06		 Northern Pintail - albinistic - undertail coverts
Northern Pintail - albinistic - undertail coverts
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Kathy Toon 14-Feb-2013 17:55
Forgot to mention I live in southern tip of Indiana.
Kathy Toon 14-Feb-2013 17:52
We have a beautiful leucistic cardinal that visits our feeder. She is blotched much like a calico cat would be. Tan, with whites blotches on head and body. Beautiful with the orange crest and beak. I have one decent photo of her face, but difficult to get a photo that captures her complete markings and beauty. I have noted one male cardinal with pale underside. Pinkish white rather than the usual bright red.
Beverly Wray 16-Jul-2012 23:43
Hi Jeff, I took a photo of a leucistic robin which was in my yard. She only has one leg, but don't think that has anything to do with her plummage. I live in Kingston, Ont, Canada. I can send a photo if you want.
Tony Hendrie 06-May-2012 22:10
Would you be interested in a photo of a leucistic Gentoo (I think it was a Gentoo) penguin I took in the
Antarctic a few years ago ?
Bob Shaw 26-Jun-2011 01:01
I recently (May 2011) saw and photographed a Common Grackle near Kingston, Ont. Canada which exhibited head color variations, white with black spots, and a huge yellow-black beak, that certain has Leucism characteristics. For a rather poor photo taken quickly with a borrowed camera you are referred to my comments posted recently at:
We Love Birds.org
Guest 04-Aug-2010 16:37
I have a leucistic house sparrow in my yard in Rockford IL. I think she is beautiful looking with shades of pale yellow all over, yet very bright and noticable in the yard. I noticed she is different in behavior than the other sparrows--flys away sooner, flys much faster, hops faster than other sparrows.
MJ 27-Apr-2010 11:27
We have a leucistic/melanistic purple finch we think, April 2010, NS Canada. We had no idea what it was but sent some picture to the provincial bird society, and they forwarded them along to someone else who thinks this is what it is. Ours is a very beautiful bright white bird with black tipped wings, but a lovely shade of light pink over its head and down the back,yellow beak,black eye, no browns, etc. First time we have heard about this. You seem to have a lot of birds in your area, hopefully it is not something wrong with the environment there?
animalhouse1127-Jan-2010 00:15
We have a leucistic crow in our neighborhood. I FINALLY captured some photos of him today. I will send them to you, if you would like.
guest 08-Jan-2010 03:26
Leucistic English Sparrow:

I first saw this English Sparrow as a fledgling around my wild bird feeder Spring 2009. It has white primary flight feathers and a white tail. Really stands out among other local sparrows and finches in SoCal. It still visits the feeder as of the first week of January 2010. Pictures at aviarycam.com down a bit.
Claire Fraser 20-Jul-2009 13:41
I just learned about this after sending a knowledgeable friend a picture of a white headed robin.
I will be happy to send a copy of the picture to anyone interested.
Claire Fraser
Lisa Giroux 18-Jul-2009 16:06
Leucistic Double-Crested Cormorant chick among the nests on a cliff in the Codroy Valley, Newfoundland. Photos taken 18 July 2009.
David Aumann 09-Nov-2008 03:40
We have had a leucistic grackle visit our home for five (hopefully six) years now in Slidell, LA. He has become quite comfortable around people over the years and returned after katrina devasted the area.
Russ 20-Oct-2008 18:01
I shot a Leucistic Mallard this weekend. It is light gold in color. Looks like a golden duck. Absolutely, beautiful. Taking it to a taxidermist.
Mary Devlin 15-Jul-2008 15:07
I have had a leucistic robin in my yard for the past two years. I did not know what it was at first, I knew it was a robin because of the way it acted. I called the Audabon and they told me what it was called. My question is can a leucistic bird reproduce.
Craig Anderson 06-Jun-2008 05:46
I have some good shots of a Leucistic Red-winged Blackbird at iwapphotography.org. Check it out. The bird was seen in Kirkland, Washington back in 2005, We move from there shortly after, but I found the bird to be fascinating
chrissie 12-Jul-2007 02:54
Am confused! Partial albino or leucistic?. Have seen a 'piebald' Jackdaw, Black & white blackbird and a starling with some white feathers. Also a female blackbird with a pale grey head. All known over last two years and regular visitors to my garden.
downywp06-Jun-2007 22:34
What an amazing gallery, I stumbled upon it while googling for Leucistic birds and I am glad I did,thanks for sharing :-)
Joanne Kamo14-Oct-2006 01:08
Really interesting gallery here! You've seen so many! Thanks for sharing. V
Chocky 07-Aug-2006 02:53
Hi I would like to register.What do I do?
I have a number of captures of Leucistic Mallard ducklings from small to almost geown, I have been following their progress as they are in our local park. There are 4
I'd be quite happy to upload some photos if you would like.
David Charlton 25-Sep-2004 06:41
I've got two european blackbirds in my garden, both have pale heads! Quite a sorry sight actually!
Dave UK
thornius2 27-Apr-2004 02:06
I love this gallery. I have been fascinated by leucistic animals after having a leucistic American Robin in my yard in Bellevue, Tn. in 1989.
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