[obol] a question

[riutta at comcast.net]

One of the best, concise explanations of albinism, partial albinism, and leucism was written by Dr. Malcolm Ogilvie in Birds of Britain: http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/features/mao-jun-01.htm.

They key in this case is whether the bird is generally paler than normal or washed-out in appearance, which would be leucism, or whether it appears to have some normally colored feathers while others are white, which would be partial albinism. There is also a bit of information on what is termed "fright molt" where feathers are lost prior to a regular molt and subsequently regrow lacking pigment.

I will, of course, graciously defer to other, more experienced members of the community in this matter should this answer be found insufficient.

Good birding,
John E. Riutta
Scappoose, Oregon
www.bornagainbirdwatcher.blogspot.com


-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Carl & Christine Schneider" <cncschneider at msn.com> 

Hi Obolinks,

I have a chickadee, with an abnormal amount of white on its back, nape, and wing covers, that occasionally visits my feeders.  Would this be considered  partially albino or leucistic.  And is there such a thing as partial albinism.

Matthew Schneider
Silverton, Oregon
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