Larry's Gallery:   Common Blackbird (2/3)

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

Turdus merula  

We were amazed to see this Common Blackbird with a considerable number of patches of white on its head and body. Apparently it is a genetic mutation called leucism which prevents melanin from being deposited normally on feathers. Some birds have 'pale' leucism where there is an equal reduction of melanin in all feathers whereas some have 'pied' leucism (like our friend here) where there is an absence of melanin in some feathers creating white patches. All the other members of the group or family this bird was with seemed to be fully pigmented.