leucistic great skua?

[postcardcv]

Whilst seawatching off the Norfolk coast yesterday I had a very pale (possibly leucistic) great skua. I was just wondering if others have seen similar great skuas, as it was the first time I have seen such a pale skua.

[Michael Frankis]

I saw one off the Northumberland coast, 18 July 2001. Suppose it is even theoretically possible it was the same bird, though unlikely.

If it is 'very pale', then it is leucistic, by definition - that's what leucistic means ;)

Michael

[postcardcv]

I thought that the definition of leucism was that simple (but wasn't sure if there was something more to it) - thanks for confirming it.

[logos]

Leucism, as used in birding, refers to an absence or reduction of dark pigments in a birds plumage and any leucistic individuals are therefore naturally pale. However, it isn't correct to say that all pale birds are leucistic, some birds (e.g. immature Glaucous and Iceland Gulls) are normally pale and otherwise dark birds can become paler through wear and fading even though they were normally pigmented when the plumage was fresh.

Leucism, as used in relation to a birds plumage, therefore means 'unusually' pale due to a reduction in pigmention and not just 'pale' per se.

Spud

[John Holbourn]

Whilst seawatching off the Norfolk coast yesterday I had a very pale (possibly leucistic) great skua. I was just wondering if others have seen similar great skuas, as it was the first time I have seen such a pale skua.

Great Skuas vary greatly in their darkness/paleness. A fair number of individuals have patches of white feathers, especially on the head. I had one nesting on my land that had an almost completely white head. Like the Arctic Skua quite a few Great Skuas can be recognised as individuals - though of couse that is a lot easier when they come back to breed on the same territory year after year!

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Spud - nice to have you back.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Andrew,
Spud's not back: look at the date of his posting....
Harry H

[Tim Allwood]

my initial feelings too Fifey
shame.....

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Oh yeah - I was thinking the world was a slightly brighter and more enlightened place for a while then. Shame :-C