We had a rare visitor to the flat feeder August 10, 2018 – a partial albino grackle or a leucistic grackle.
The head of a grackle is usually all bluish, but this one has white features throughout.
The eye has the same yellowish circle with the black pupil.
You can see similar features to the common grackle – the longish tail, sturdy beak, and long legs.
Here are a few more shots as it moved to different locations on the flat feeder. You can see the bluish/blackish tint on some of its feathers.
My husband snapped these photos through the window. We are hoping to see it again at the feeders.
Here is a grackle photo taken a year or so ago for comparison.
Unusual bird visitors:
Gill
that is so neat. In a human that would be an old bird with grey hair!!!
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
So true ???
Myrtle
Nice photos of the the two different grakles, both equally pretty.
Country Gal
Nice photos guys . I remember you posted these photos on our FB photography group and wasn’t to sure what type of bird it was I had found it and replied with it was a Albino Grackle which I have never seen before either how cool is that and rare apparently . Hope your knee is healing well and you are enjoying the rest of summer with some well deserved outside time . We are in for lots of rain tomorrow thank goodness as we need it badly . Thanks for sharing , have a good rest of the week .
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
I had a few options in mind, thanks for your help in narrowing it down to a grackle. I had also posted it on Instagram and got the same reply. Haven’t seen it at the feeders since that day.
Lorrie Orr
What an interesting bird to come to your feeder, and how great that you got photos. I’ve never heard of an Albino Grackle. No rain here and we need it so much. Smoke fills the air. Hope your knee is healing well.
Margy
What a rare sighting. Kind of makes him look like an old man. – Margy
Eileen Wise
Hello, love this speckled face grackle. What a neat sighting. I do not think I have ever seen a leucistic bird, they are interesting. I hope your knee is healing, take care. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thanks also for the comment on my blog.
Lavender Dreamer
How amazing! You learn something every day! What a mystery that would have been to see! I know you’re happy for the ID! Hugs!
Marie-OR
A fascinating anomaly!
betty - NZ
What a lovely set of photos. It’s cool to see the differences you captured.
Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'
This is incredible! What a great visitor…thanks for sharing this with us this week at I’d Rather B Birdin’
Betty Crow
Impressive shots! I have never heard of leucistic until today and there are two posts about it.
Jennifer Jilks
I’ll bet that was some interesting research!!!
Jean Hamm
I am seeing a leucistic one today coming to my feeders. I am in Virginia