Leucistic Finch

One the greatest avian treats of my week in California was getting to see a leucistic House Finch at Mike and Betty's home in Joshua Tree. I have never seen a leucistic bird before, so this was special.

Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals and humans. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. You can tell a leucistic animal from an albino by its eye color. A leucistic bird will have a normal eye color.

The sweet little bird made its way around the feeders at Mike's house, just doing what normal House Finches do....eating. Mike and I noticed, though, that it didn't really seem part of the normal group. It stayed on its own. Of course, that could just be our interpretation, but it was interesting to observe, nonetheless.