Abnormally Plumaged Birds in a Stanington Garden

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Abnormally Plumaged Birds in a Stannington Garden.
Words by Carl Corbidge and Tony J Morris, Photographs by Carl Corbidge.

I don't know what's in the water at Stannington but, through regular observations, Carl Corbidge seems to have un-earthed more than his fair share of interesting, but abnormally plumaged individuals amongst the common birds visiting his garden. Individuals of three species: Dunnock, Starling and House Sparrow, were all observed during the period October 2000 to August 2001. The accompanying photographs were all taken by Carl.

The first to become the object of his attention was a leucistic House Sparrow in October 2000. This bird was very pale, and could almost be taken to be an albino. These two photographs of the same bird were taken when first located.

Leucistic House Sparrow, Stannington, Sheffield.
Leucistic House Sparrow - Photograph Copyright © Carl Corbidge

In late 2000 / early 2001 a very pale Starling appeared. This was seen on and off until at least July 2001 but by then had become more elusive.

Leucistic Starling, Stannington, Sheffield.
Leucistic Starling - Photograph Copyright © Carl Corbidge

As if this wasn't enough, on 10th June 2001 a leucistic Dunnock was initially seen for one day only, but thereafter Carl writes:

I had the leucistic Dunnock in the garden again yesterday [9th July 2001], the first sighting since 21st June. I think it must nip from it's own territory for a quick forage while the resident pair aren't around. The [leucistic] Starling is also still around but is being a bit more elusive. I've found a couple of pieces of info on leucism. One from BBC Wildlife states that because white feathers lack melanin they are more palatable to Malophaga feather lice and therefore often have higher infestations this adds to the problem of the obvious higher visability to predators. The second says that there are 4 types of melanins that give birds their colouration, with black and browns the most common, these are often paired with carotenoids (reds and yellows). Because carotenoids are responsible for reds and yellows some leucistic birds retain reds and yellows whilst losing black and brown colouration. There is also another condition called schizochroism where one of a pair of overlying pigments is lost leaving the remainder to dominate. One particular variation is called a "fawn schizochroic" which gives a warm brown colouration similar to the Dunnock and the Starling (when seen in direct sunlight). It also states that correct identification of a particular condition is difficult and so leucism is often the term used to describe any pale bird.

The leucistic Dunnock was in the garden again on 7th August 2001 after a long absence. This photograph was taken on it's initial appearance on 10th June 2001.

So, more proof that with constant vigilance of just the birds around your own home it is possible to locate some interesting individuals. I just hope Carl is treating the water before he brews his cuppa [AJM].

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