Leucistic Starling (1 Viewer)

[Northumborman]

Spotted this white starling on the island of Westray in Orkney today. It was part of a small flock of around a dozen 'ordinary' starlings and seemed to be accepted by them.

 

[Kits]

He is certainly very different!

 

[Jonno52]

The bird (from the bill base colour, perhaps a female?) has done well not to be picked out by a predator so far. It's well established that flocking behaviour may be partly to confuse a raptor like Peregrine, because it can't decide which bird to take. But a white individual would make the task much easier.

 

[Tired]

Look at that! Are you sure it isn't albino? The eye looks like it might be red.

I wonder what the others think of it, and if it'll be able to find a mate. I assume starlings pick mates based on plumage, which I'm sure would put this one at a disadvantage.

 

[KC Foggin]

Like Tired I am thinking Albino as I enlarged the photos and the eyes look reddish to me.