Hi Retsup welcome to the forum.
The bird in your photo is a male Blackbird, which has Leucism (or Leukism).
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This mainly results in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hello.Welcome to the forum Retsub. That's a nice picture.Buzzard, is Leucism (Leukism) the same as albino plumage, or do they just look similar? This is the first time I think I've read the term.
Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Hi
Many thanks for the quick response. Nice to know he is interesting.
Hello Retsup - great photo which really helps with id queries when birds have abnormal colouring.
I think this blackbird has partial albinism, which really shows up against the regular black feathers. There certainly is another plumage variation called leucism, as mentioned, but this tends to affects all the colours on a bird reducing their intensity. Someone said that it looks as if a 'leucistic' bird has been quickly dipped in bleach so the colours are washed out. Having said that, often affected birds look very attractive with cream, gold or fawn coloured feathers. Needless to say, these also give rise to some tricky id enquiries!
Watch out for swifts
Hi Retsup and welcome from me. What a lovely photo. I have never seen this in real life, although I have heard of it.
Buzzard - is Leucism genetic do you know, and if so are the white pigmentation cells dominant, so his off spring would either be carriers of the gene or show signs of white marks themselves? Or would he need a mate who also carries the gene?
Cheers, Linda.
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Many thanks for all your kind replies. Wow what a friendly community. I've added another photo which may be of interest
Hello and thanks for the photographs Retsub.
This reminded me of an earlier thread with a couple of pictures of similar birds
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/5834/43090.aspx#43090
I'm pleased to say, my own Blackbird is back hanging around the garden following the autumn and looks even whiter this winter. I must try for another photo...
Richard
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Welcome from me too Retsub! Here's a thread I started some time ago on 'all creatures Leucisitc':
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/5303/39297.aspx#39297
Nice photos by the way!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Hi Retsub! welcome from me too
Love your blackbird, he looks a handsome fellow and even more so I think because of the unusual colouring!
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/