How often do you see a leucistic bird?

[Eric Weaver]

Saturday I shot a leucistic RWBL. It took awhile to narrow it down to that even though I thought so at the time. I only remember seeing one other leucistic bird many many years ago. It got me to wondering. How often does everyone else run into this? I would think avid experienced birders would see it more than I have but I am curious.

(Hope this is appropriate for this section. )

[John Chardine]

It is the right place Eric. I'll see if I can dig up some scientific data on rates of leucism in birds. My experience is that it is a rare phenomenon.

[Eric Weaver]

Thanks John. I looked for some stats myself but I'm sure you'll have much better luck at it. Interested to see how forum members stack up on it if anyone cares to divulge.

[Chris Harrison]

Partial leucism is actually quite common in birds, where you see one or two feathers white.
Some birds show more than others and occasionally you see all white birds.
Here's a partially leucistic red-tailed hawk from here in San Antonio this winter.

http://www.pbase.com/sandboa/image/132181191.jpg

[Rick Poulin]

I have been lucky to see a good number of leucistic birds. It seems to be very broad based phenomena. In this past year I have seen a Canada Goose, a Black-capped Chickadee, an American Crow and a Common Redpoll with various amounts of white, all locally.<o:p></o:p>
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The species I have seen the most often with leucism is Common Grackle.

[Eric Weaver]

I see a white feather or two fairly often. I'm talking about a bird that is heavily washed out. That I rarely see. I realize that I didn't make that clear.

[Rick Poulin]

Eric the birds I was refering to had extensive white or very pale grey on them.

Not my photo but here is the chickadee.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Buckstopper/chickadeeA.jpg