White Sparrow

Pic of sparrow

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/birdwatch/m/birdwatch-mediagallery/765302/download.aspx

Thanks

Hi.... I have never seen this before? -

Looks really different :)

it's most likely this wee guy has leucism or albinism   here's a bit about

Leucism, or leukism, is an abnormal plumage condition caused by a genetic mutation that prevents pigment, particularly melanin, from being properly deposited on a bird’s feathers. As a result, the birds do not have the normal, classic plumage colors listed in field guides, and instead the plumage have several color changes, including:

   White patches where the bird should not have any

   Paler overall plumage that looks faint, diluted or bleached

   Overall white plumage with little or no color discernable

The degree of leucism, including the brightness of the white and the extent of pigment loss, will vary depending on the bird’s genetic makeup. Birds that show only white patches or sections of leucistic feathers – often in symmetrical patterns – are often called pied or piebald birds, while birds with fully white plumage are referred to as leucistic birds.

Leucistic and Albino Birds

Albinism is another genetic condition that can turn a bird’s plumage pale, but there are distinct differences between albino and leucistic birds. Leucism affects only the bird’s feathers, and typically only those with melanin pigment – usually dark feathers. A leucistic bird with different colors may show some colors brightly, especially red, orange or yellow, while feathers that should be brown or black are instead pale or white. Some leucistic birds, however, can lose all the pigment in their feathers and may appear pure white.

Albinism, on the other hand, affects all the pigments, and albino birds show no color whatsoever in their feathers. Furthermore, an albino mutation also affects the bird’s other pigments in the skin and eyes, and albino birds show pale pink or reddish eyes, legs, feet and a pale bill, while leucistic birds often have normally colored eyes, legs, feet and bills.

I have seen sparrows in my garden with white tail feathers but bodies are normal colours just albino maybe is it possible for a sparrow to breed with any other bird that I

as white in its plumage take care pauline

Sparrow not been seen since the photo. Probably driven away by the others

More likely taken by a predator. Social birds aren't generally bothered by one of their number having leucism/any other pigment abnormality - but white birds are much more likely to catch the eye of a predator.

"All heart"