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Janet Parkinson snapped this photo of what she describes as a young albino Chickadee. According to the British Trust for Ornithology, the bird is actually leucistic, with the eye colour being the determining feature. Albino birds have pink eyes while the iris pigmentation of leucistic birds remains dark. “Leucism” is used as an umbrella term to encompass a number of plumage irregularities. In leucistic birds, affected plumage lacks melanin pigment due to the cells responsible for melanin production being absent. Although leucism is inherited, the extent and positioning of the white colouration can vary between adults and their young, and can also skip generations. The reduction of pigment in leucistic birds causes feathers to weaken and be more prone to wear. In some situations this can hinder flight, which, in addition to leucistic birds usually being more conspicuous, can heighten risk of predation. There is also evidence that leucistic birds might, on occasion, not be recognized or accepted by a potential mate.Photo submitted
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