Leucism, or a bird of a different feather

This is the second winter that I've seen this faded beauty at the feeder. As a matter of fact, she/he may live in the garden since Goldfinches and House Finches are year round residents in our gardens.

When birds have unusual or faded plumage coloration they're called leucistic. They have a genetic mutation and it can affects them differently. Some have white patches on their colorful plumage, while, others look like they've been dipped in bleach or have faded in the sun. It makes identifying them quite difficult! Which is why I am calling this beauty a finch, although, I think it might be a Goldfinch! For that matter, maybe it's two different leucistic birds, but, I think it's the same one!

February 2015

The leucistic Goldfinch that is visiting the winter feeders is lovely, but, my understanding is that these birds have a difficult time in the wild. The mutation that prevents pigments from coloring their feathers might make it difficult for them to attract mates. After all, colorful plumage is part of many of bird mating rituals. There's also a possibility that their feathers might not be as strong as a "normal" pigmented bird; or, that they might not be as well insulated for the winter, making survival in a harsh world especially difficult.

So far this cutie pie is surviving at Clay and Limestone. There's plenty of food, water and winter cover. It only has to hide in the trees and stay out of the way of the hawks that like to cruise above Clay and Limestone! That's another problem with which leucistic critters have to contend. They don't have protective coloring that their normal plumage would offer.

Keep feeding the birds and watching for unusual plumage.
xoxogail


More posts about birds at Clay and Limestone:
Oh, How I love you little Nuthatch
Winter is for the birds
At the birdfeeder
Garden Visitors
I do it for the birds
The Tufted Titmouse

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.