Leucistic Redpoll ?

[JohnM]

Taken Yesterday (22nd) at Erington woods car park New Marske. There were 2 Redpolls coming down to the bird table, 1 normal one and this one. Thanks to M.A.B for letting me know about it.

[IanF]

A real striking bird. Great photos of it.

[DaveJ.]

Taken Yesterday (22nd) at Erington woods car park New Marske. There were 2 Redpolls coming down to the bird table, 1 normal one and this one. Thanks to M.A.B for letting me know about it.

Cracking shots given that its in the shade, great lens the 300 F4 

[JohnM]

Thanks to both of you, It's a shame the light wasn't better to show just how striking the bird was.

JohnM

[RAY]

This is what's known as a Silver redpoll

it could be a Mealy (common) or Lesser and most probably an escapee.

Ray

[A McLee]

If it was an escape from an aviculturalist, it would have a closed ring on it to allow it to be exhibited. The pictures do not help as the bird was sitting down on its tarsi . I suppose this leucistic form must arise in the wild spontaneously otherwise where do exhibition birds arise from to be bred from in captivity. It has no obviously worn plumage as you might expect from a caged bird. Let's be generous and call it a super wild variant!

[Damian]

Most likely a wild bird. British birds kept in captivity need only be close-rung to be sold or exhibited,if the keepers don't want to do either of these then they are not obliged to close-ring them.

Regards
Damian

[JohnM]

Hi
I've just checked the other shots of the bird, and there is definately no ring on the right leg and there dosen't appear to be one on the left leg.


JohnM

[RAY]

There must be hundreds of these bred in captivity each year, along with the normals you also get
Cinamon, Cobolt, Isabel. cinamon cobolt and the silver cobolt.



Ray