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

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46 comments:

  1. The CrankyJuly 22, 2014 at 5:05 AM

    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". =)

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  2. AndyJuly 22, 2014 at 5:08 AM

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

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  3. eileeninmdJuly 22, 2014 at 5:27 AM

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

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  4. RevrunnerJuly 22, 2014 at 5:52 AM

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

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  5. RoanJuly 22, 2014 at 7:15 AM

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

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  6. Yogi♪♪♪July 22, 2014 at 7:16 AM

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

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  7. TexWisGirlJuly 22, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    what a neat sighting!

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  8. William KendallJuly 22, 2014 at 8:05 AM

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

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  9. Margaret Birding For PleasureJuly 22, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    HI EM Great find and wonderful shots of him

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  10. MersadJuly 22, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    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

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  11. BirdmanJuly 22, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    Lots of summer birds on post today.

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  12. MadSnapperJuly 22, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    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

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  13. LynnJuly 22, 2014 at 10:15 AM

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

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  14. DimpleJuly 22, 2014 at 10:17 AM

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

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  15. JudyJuly 22, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    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...

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  16. Linda W.July 22, 2014 at 10:38 AM

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

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  17. Maude LynnJuly 22, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    So pretty!

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  18. RedPatJuly 22, 2014 at 11:51 AM

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

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  19. Gail DixonJuly 22, 2014 at 12:31 PM

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

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  20. RoseJuly 22, 2014 at 1:58 PM

    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.

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  21. mickJuly 22, 2014 at 2:57 PM

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

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  22. UnknownJuly 22, 2014 at 3:02 PM

    How interesting. It's still very beautiful.

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  23. HalcyonJuly 22, 2014 at 3:28 PM

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

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  24. KarenJuly 22, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Pretty cool find EG!

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  25. FABJuly 22, 2014 at 4:04 PM

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

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  26. Gill - That British WomanJuly 22, 2014 at 4:17 PM

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

    Gill

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  27. Kenneth Cole SchneiderJuly 22, 2014 at 4:57 PM

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

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  28. Our photosJuly 22, 2014 at 5:08 PM

    Unusual bird. Very nice !

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  29. Ruth HiebertJuly 22, 2014 at 5:19 PM

    That is a very interesting bird indeed.

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  30. CarverJuly 22, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    Great looking bird and captured so well.

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  31. sunshineJuly 22, 2014 at 5:36 PM

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

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  32. VagabondeJuly 22, 2014 at 6:51 PM

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

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  33. KathyJuly 22, 2014 at 9:27 PM

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

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  34. RandyJuly 22, 2014 at 9:38 PM

    Looks like that beak comes in handy.

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  35. StephanieJuly 22, 2014 at 10:21 PM

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

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  36. JackJuly 22, 2014 at 10:25 PM

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

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  37. Ginny HartzlerJuly 23, 2014 at 1:41 AM

    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!

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  38. AnonymousJuly 23, 2014 at 2:57 AM

    What a great name!

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  39. Small City ScenesJuly 23, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    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

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  40. RohrerbotJuly 23, 2014 at 4:10 PM

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

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  41. RohrerbotJuly 23, 2014 at 4:13 PM

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

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  42. Lisa GordonJuly 23, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    I LOVE that beak!!!

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  43. AnonymousJuly 24, 2014 at 12:36 PM

    What a lovely bird, bleached feathers and all.

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  44. AnonymousJuly 25, 2014 at 2:32 AM

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

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  45. NatureFootstepJuly 25, 2014 at 2:27 PM

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

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  46. Pat TillettJuly 27, 2014 at 12:21 AM

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

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