Getting ready to go to Flintkote Avenue in Sorrento Valley here in San
Diego to look for a pair of rare Calliope Hummingbirds. As I started to pack my camera case, I
noticed two large doves in my yard. These were not your common Mourning Doves
but the larger Eurasian Collared-Doves. One of the doves had an unusual
coloring. It was mostly white with splotches of brown. Please take a look and
see if you think he is a leucistic or a hybrid.
Here are some shots of what I believed to be
a "leucistic" Eurasian Collared- Dove.
Leucistic (according to Wikipedia) is a condition in
which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white,
pale or patchy coloration of skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticles but not
the eyes. It is occasionally spelled leukism.
What is a leucistic bird? According to
Wikipedia, it is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation marked by
overall pale color or patched or reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic
mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in
feathers.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia
decaocto measures 13 inches long with a wingspan of 22 inches.
A look at the underwing.
Close-up.
Close-up look of the front.
He is a beauty.
A normal colored Eurasian Collared-Dove is shown below
in this photo.
I noticed that this leucistic dove follows the other
dove and now he is ready to fly after his friend.
One last shot before he flies off. Note: I searched
and searched for the elusive Calliope Hummingbirds at Flintkote Ave. but did not
spot one. Maybe next time.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Interesting photo. You have correctly ascertained the variation in this dove as leucism. I have noticed paler, almost white, Eurasian-collared Doves fairly frequently (1 out of 200 birds?). Last week I noted one with white wings. I have never seen such a pied one before. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Greg for your comments and letting me know that I have ID this bird correctly. This was my first encounter with a leucistic Eurasian Collared-Dove. I feel lucky to have photographed a beautiful leucistic Osprey a few years back! LOL, I called her Leucy :)
DeletePS..FYI just came back from checking on the Osprey nest in Del Mar and the young Ospreys have fledged but still at nest! See you out birding.
Great topic thanks
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ReplyDeleteI came across your blog googling unusual colored EUCD because I had one in the backyard this evening. Is there a way to attach a picture of it to see if you can ID it for me as leucistic or not? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi there! Eve here... Do you have some way to post the photo online and drop Jo a link here? Or perhaps an eBird report with the photo included?
ReplyDelete