Leucistic/albino red winged blackbird? New Jersey - Morris Cty (1 Viewer)

[rascolnicov]

Came across this bird in a marshy area (Troy Meadows Wetlands in Parsippany NJ)
General appearance makes me think about a red winged black bird, only white (albino/leucistic?).
Did find some support for the theory but this is just a beginner's wild guess based on a biased search.

Red-winged Blackbird - leucistic by Jeff Wilson

pbase.com

Leucistic Red-winged Blackbird

Curious what the pros think.

 

[nartreb]

As someone who relies heavily on color for bird ID, I'm finding this difficult. Bill shape looks about right for RWBB. Faint eye stripe vaguely reminiscent of female RWBB. Marshy habitat fits, though perch on large oak branch isn't ideal. I guess we should consider leucistic common grackle, and any less common blackbirds (rusty?). Maybe orioles too, I find their bill shapes pretty similar. I don't suppose you heard it sing?

 

[rascolnicov]

As someone who relies heavily on color for bird ID, I'm finding this difficult. Bill shape looks about right for RWBB. Faint eye stripe vaguely reminiscent of female RWBB. Marshy habitat fits, though perch on large oak branch isn't ideal. I guess we should consider leucistic common grackle, and any less common blackbirds (rusty?). Maybe orioles too, I find their bill shapes pretty similar. I don't suppose you heard it sing?

Unfortunately, no audio was available, shot taken from far away (hence grainy photo).
Glad I wasn't off too much with my guess.

 

[birdmeister]

I think the first and third pictures show Red-winged Blackbird shape (and tail length) very well, plus a very faded version of the head pattern.

 

[rascolnicov]

I think the first and third pictures show Red-winged Blackbird shape (and tail length) very well, plus a very faded version of the head pattern.

Thank you for your feedback