female Common Grackle with white tail feather

[John Chardine]

The "leucism" as it is called here seems to be localised to one tail feather. I would bet that the same feather follicle will produce a white feather for the rest of the bird's life. Any dissenting views?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Interesting, I've never seen a leucistic Grackle.

[PeterCollins]

Hi John,

My father has a female blackbird who visits his garden almost daily which has the same thing, a single white feather in the tail.

She has been a visitor for 3 years running, she must have replaced the feather in 3 years?

Pete

[John Chardine]

Yes indeed Peter, the tail feathers are replaced once a year, so that answers the question. Thanks!

[William Malacarne]

I have an African Grey that has a couple of red feathers on his neck/shoulder area. I don't have a picture of him but found this on the web by searching for Red Factor Grey's. This one has a lot more than mine.

http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.c...ican-grey.html

Bill