Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Leucistic Dunlin

Leucistic Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Most dunlins have black bellies and black legs, but this one is leucistic, which means it's feathers have reduced pigmentation. Yep, its feathers look bleached.

Dunlin: medium-sized sandpiper

Leucism is different from albinism, which affects all of a bird's colours, including its eyes making them pink or red. This Dunlin has brown eyes and orange feet and bill.

Hunting for yummy treats

Most Dunlins that fly through Ontario are still up north on the western shores of Hudson's Bay. This brave soul is spending time alone on Lake Ontario.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

46 comments:

The Cranky said...

I've always been fascinated by leucistic animals/birds, what great captures!
There was a leucistic hawk which hung around the house when my daughter was wee (about three). She would point at it and say "see my friend? she loves me and comes to check on me". =)

Andy said...

Thanks to you Camera Girl, I'm learning something new.

eileeninmd said...

EG, what a great find. The Leucistic Dunlin is pretty. Wonderful photos.

Revrunner said...

Obviously found something it likes there on Ontario's shores. :-)

Roan said...

Interesting. I've learned something today. Great shots!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I also learned something new today. I've never heard of a dunlin before.

TexWisGirl said...

what a neat sighting!

William Kendall said...

That's the first time I have heard that term. Neat looking bird!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI EM Great find and wonderful shots of him

Mersad said...

Magnificent. Always love your wildlife shots. They bring the nature right to my room. There really is so much to see in the wild.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Birdman said...

Lots of summer birds on post today.

MadSnapper said...

i had no idea about albino birds OR this one today. he is beautiful just like he is. love the touches of brown... thanks for sharing the info and the pics

Lynn said...

interesting facts and great photos...is there no fear or do you just have a super strong zoom...

Dimple said...

Thanks for the lesson-I didn't know about this type of coloration!

Judy said...

A few years ago, there was a white redwing blackbird in the flock congregating in the marsh, but not for long. I think the hawks must have gotten it.
But this guy looks so odd. I wonder if it will find a mate...

Linda W. said...

What a cute bird. I like his long beak and legs. Nice photos!

Maude Lynn said...

So pretty!

RedPat said...

That is the same situation with the white squirrels here in Trinity Bellwoods Park. They aren't albinos either. Fascinating stuff, EG!

Gail Dixon said...

This reminds me of the leucistic cardinal I saw in the spring. I think they are beautiful. Your shots of this beauty are gorgeous!

Rose said...

Great captures...I have not seen one of these either. That I know of. Wonder if the opposite sex notices the different coloration? I bet they don't.

mick said...

Great photos and so good to take such clear photos of a very unusual bird.

Unknown said...

How interesting. It's still very beautiful.

Halcyon said...

What a cute little guy. I like his color (or lack thereof!).

Karen said...

Pretty cool find EG!

FAB said...

Excellent images to support your explanation of this condition. To my knowledge this is the first time I've seen a Leucistic Wader.

Gill - That British Woman said...

never seen nor have heard of that term or bird. Learned something new today.

Gill

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

What an unusual find! Very nice photo documentation and narrative.

Our photos said...

Unusual bird. Very nice !

Ruth Hiebert said...

That is a very interesting bird indeed.

Carver said...

Great looking bird and captured so well.

sunshine said...

A fascinating bird, I never saw a wader bird with color anomalies.

Vagabonde said...

A lovely bird and with unusual plumage. Thanks for the explanation – I did not know this bird.

Kathy said...

It's actually quite pretty. Some leucistic birds are very strange looking.

Randy said...

Looks like that beak comes in handy.

Stephanie said...

Great shots of this neat looking bird. Learned a new one today.

Jack said...

And I always thought Leucistic Dunlin was an elderly Norwegian man!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have never heard of this word, so now I have learned something. Plus seeing a new bird. Your close-up shots are so good and sharp! I love those big green wheels and lantern from yesterday's post!

Anonymous said...

What a great name!

Small City Scenes said...

You mean the poor bird is all alone there. Is it because of the coloration? We have Dunlin here in the Spring. They are fun to watch. MB

Rohrerbot said...

That's quite a find! What an interesting looking Dunlin! And great photos of this bird. They can be rather tricky.

Rohrerbot said...

Which also gets me thinking.....does the coloration(or lack of) have an effect on his chances to breed?

Lisa Gordon said...

I LOVE that beak!!!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely bird, bleached feathers and all.

Anonymous said...

I learned something too. I think this bird is attractive with the brown feathers!

NatureFootstep said...

you can´t help feeling sorry for it. Even if it looks beautiful. But it does not know I suppose.

Pat Tillett said...

I've never seen one before, but it sure is pretty. Nice photos of it.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.