BLACKBIRDS

[Willpar]

Hi Nick, can happen with blackbirds and also other birds. There is a name for it if I can spell it. Means the bird has leucism, or white pigmentation. Nice video by the way.

[Nick]

Thanks Willpar, I'll look it up.

[PimperneBloke]

I think it's leucistic if it's lighter patches than normal, and melanistic if it's darker.... But could have just made that up

[Jacksparrow]

Well I'm really confused now!

I think I've got two Blackbirds with aberrations. One is dark with black on the base of its beak and the other is much lighter with a predominantly yellow beak. Also the white patching marks are different.

What do you reckon?

Definitely two different birds IMO.

[Nick]

Here's further confirmation of both a male and female with the light patches.

[Willpar]

Great to see Nick.

[Willpar]

Lovely sight in the garden just now. A mother blackbird feeding two fledglings. Season not quite over by the looks of it.

[Jacksparrow]

Where have all the Blackbirds gone? The most I have seen this autumn at one time is two. Usually there are enough to have handbag fights over any food on offer.

[Linda257]

Och they will be back out of hiding soon to defend the berries now all the Scandinavian visitors are arriving.

[PimperneBloke]

I think they were devastated by the disease. Mrs PB saw the first in our garden for weeks and weeks on Tuesday, and I saw about half a dozen individuals whilst was down the the Trailway... previously would have seen upwards of 20 along the length I walked