Hi - Spotted this in the middle of the city of Sydney today. Can't think of anything but 'albino currawong'! Look forward to your thoughts :)
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yellow eyes suggests that you are correct
but it is black and white - a pied currawong (reverse phase)
Peter
that's ok, I was just joking
Peter
Hi crispinr,
If I remember correctly a bird with albinism has no pigment and this affects the eyes (pink/red), feathers, legs etc. (all the pigments).
I think your bird has leukism (affecting the feathers only) which is a genetic mutation that prevents melanin (the substance that gives feathers, eyes, skin etc. colour) from being properly deposited in the feathers, so the bird still has colour it’s just jumbled up.
Currawongs have yellow eyes normally and I think that because his pupil is constricted and surrounded by an abnormal white background they stand out a little more.
Maybe someone who is experienced in genetics can help??
Hope this helps
Cheers, Jackie
Me again, sorry!! clearly I neglegted the fact that your bird has a white beak and legs! So maybe someone else could offer another explanation for the genetic mutation???
Cheers, Jackie
Interesting that at the same time someone has posted photos in the other thread about a white currawong:
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/White-Currawong
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
they're everywhere
Peter
Almost a white wash!
Uh oh ... coming soon, Alfred Hitchcock's "White Birds"!
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
@jfiess78 Hi Jackie - Thank you, I think you have it - a leucistic currawong!
Leucism can cause the reduction in all types of pigment. This is in contrast to albinism, for which leucism is often mistaken ... More common than a complete absence of pigment cells (in leucism) is localised or incomplete hypopigmentation, resulting in irregular patches of white on an animal that otherwise has normal colouring and patterning. This partial leucism is known as a "pied" or "piebald" effect ... this is notable in ...(a number of species including) the urban crow... A further difference between albinism and leucism is in eye colour ... albinos typically have red eyes ... in contrast, most leucistic animals have normally coloured eyes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism)
Yes, the white beak and legs seem diverge from the Wikipedia description, but I'm happy enough that leucism fits the bill (groan :)Thanks to all, especially Jackie :)
Well researched, crispinr. That's something I've learned today so thanks!
Thanks Crispinr, sorry I haven't been able to reply until now.
Cheers, Jackie
Crispinr / Jackie (all),
I've been watching the same bird that I also thought to be an albino currawong for several months. It lives in Potts Point and whether it is albino or has leucism, I am surprised at how well it is accepted by the other currawongs. It is clearly very healthy and is regularly seen with other currawongs (mating it seems), often perched together with another black 'normal' currawong. I've seen a simlar genetic example in a magpie, however in that instance the bird was attacked and eventually killed by the other magpies in the area. Interesting that this currawong is so well integrated with the others.
Thanks for the thread - very interesting.
Carl
Hi Carl - That's a great insight - interesting - and cheering to know the bird's doing well! :) Thank you! Crispin
Wow!