Sighting: Leucistic Jackdaw

Leucism is a genetic condition which affects pigment. In birds this results in abnormally pale or white feathers, affecting anything from a few single feathers to transforming a whole bird pure white.

https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/behaviour/plumage/leucism

Leucism appears more prevalent in dark, primarily black birds, or perhaps it is just more noticeable in these species, and therefore more widely reported.

The condition would also seem to be fairly common here in Aberystwyth with at least 3 different birds spotted within a relatively small area (other affected species I have found here seen are a Carrion Crow & Blackbird).

Here is a Jackdaw I spotted a few days ago, with a few white feathers scattered throughout it’s plumage.

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All photographs copyright of Claire Stott/Grey Feather Photography 2017 ©
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