Leucistic (albino?) bird from Queen Elizabeth National Park (1 Viewer)

[adamt123]

Hi everyone,

I'm guessing the bird in question is leucistic not albino because the bill is blackish-grey - honesty have never seen either before so not sure.

As for an ID, when I first saw it I thought some sort of flycatcher and I suppose that is what I still think it is. Though I understand it may well be impossible to get species level id, any ideas are appreciated. Photos were taken from quite a distance and I appreciate this makes deciphering any key details all the more difficult.

The sighting is from Bush Lodge, Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda), June 2021. The area was like a swamp (not sure if it helps, but I've attached a photo) with lots of birds but we didn't see any other species that looked similar to the bird in question.

thanks!

 

[Andy Adcock]

I think you're right with Flycatcher, maybe White-eyed Slaty?

I'd also say that it's probably is a genuine albino as it has pink legs?

 

[KC Foggin]

It does look to be a genuine Albino species.

 

[adamt123]

thanks both for your comments. the plump shape is indeed reminiscent of white-eyed slaty and those legs do look rather pink - nice to know that it could well be a genuine albino. a cool sighting though, whatever it is

 

[MacNara]

I have the impression (plus one acquaintanceship) that human albinos have (always / usually / sometimes) very poor eyesight. Is this also true of birds and other albino animals? (We saw a white, possibly albino, Springbok in Namibia a few years ago, and have always wondered if there were physical reasons other than just 'looking different' which might make them less likely to survive to a ripe old age.)

 

[pianoman]

Actually the bird appears to have quite a dark eye, so perhaps not albino after all

 

[Andy Adcock]

Actually the bird appears to have quite a dark eye, so perhaps not albino after all

A deep red eye will look dark in a photo like this, that really cannot be judged accurately here but there does seem to be some pigment in the bill.