Magpie (1 Viewer)

Mark Moore

Member

• Mar 28, 2011

• #1

As i was at work today, i noticed two Magpies on a bungalow roof. Nothing unusual there of course but what was different was that one of the maggies had the colour white on its primary coverts, looked very strange! has anybody else observed this before?

 

Mark Moore

Member

• Apr 19, 2011

• #2

I'll take that as a no then

 

Kits

Picture Picker

Social Media Editor

• Apr 19, 2011

• #3

That has made me giggle. To answer your question, no, I haven't observed it.

 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Apr 19, 2011

• #4

Hi Mark

Sorry your post has been unanswered so far. This is a form of leucism, which seems to be becoming more and more prevalent amongst 'black' birds. We don't get Magpies here (well very rarely), but there are Blackbirds and Crows with white feathering.

ElsT has posted a few pictures in the Gallery of a more extreme form in a Maggie which you can see HERE.

You can read more about leucism in the Opus Dictionary.

D

 

Mark Moore

Member

• Apr 20, 2011

• #5

thanks Delia.