Black bird with white head? - Devon, UK (2 Viewers)

[HarringtonR]

Hi,

Apologies for the terrible photo (iPhones are u happy zooming!) - but I hope someone can help identify this bird. In our garden in Devon this morning. It is the size of blackbird, and looks like one in every respect save the bright white stripe on the head. There is no white anywhere else. Any help would be appreciated!

Many thanks.

 

[tconzemi]

Leucistic Blackbird

 

[THE_FERN]

Not identifiable, even as to whether a bird from the photos. Leucistic blackbirds are common, though

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Not identifiable, even as to whether a bird from the photos. Leucistic blackbirds are common, though

I disagree; the first photo is clearly a bird’s head! Leucistic male blackbird from description and photo evidence combined.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Not identifiable, even as to whether a bird from the photos.

Also disagree, very obviously a bird and, to my eyes, also agree with leucistic Blackbird

 

[HarringtonR]

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to reply. I had no idea such an abnormality existed! Will keep an eye out for him again (with my proper camera!).

 

[THE_FERN]

I disagree; the first photo is clearly a bird’s head! Leucistic male blackbird from description and photo evidence combined.

yes you're right. Can tell it's a bird in the first one. conclusion remains...

 

[stevethehydra]

Yes, it took a second or two to work out what was what in the first photo, but then unambiguously a male Blackbird with a white "cap" on the front/top of its head. The orangey-yellow bill is what makes it definite!

Abnormal white feathers seem pretty common in Blackbirds - and most common on the head in my experience (unlike in crows and jackdaws which typically have them in the wings).

 

[Andy Lakin]

It definitely seems that the white feathering is more often seen around the head area. I had 4 different birds visiting the garden this summer all.males with varying degrees of white head feathering. The strange thing was that they were very infrequent visiters. I would have thought that they would be making the most of the easy food supply.

Are males more susceptible to leucism? There seem.to be far more pictures of leucistic males on the Internet.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

This one was local to me until earlier this year. The white throat was symmetrical, but only the right wing had the white feathers.