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Mark Moore · Monday 28th March 2011, 18:03

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 · Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:03

I'll take that as a no then

Kits · Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:22

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

**delia todd** · Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:53

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 · Wednesday 20th April 2011, 04:57

thanks Delia.

Monday 28th March 2011, 18:03	#1
Mark Moore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Barnsley Posts: 15 My location	Magpie 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? __________________ The Birds! The Birds!

Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:03	#2
Mark Moore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Barnsley Posts: 15 My location	I'll take that as a no then __________________ The Birds! The Birds!

Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:22	#3
Kits sos Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hampshire Posts: 57,086	That has made me giggle. To answer your question, no, I haven't observed it. __________________ Kits "Sail away from safe harbor. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain
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Tuesday 19th April 2011, 14:53	#4
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 91,738 My location	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 __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
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Wednesday 20th April 2011, 04:57	#5
Mark Moore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Barnsley Posts: 15 My location	thanks Delia. __________________ The Birds! The Birds!

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