Saw this bird, white from head to tail, hopping around on the edge of the Cambridge-Watertown path. Bigger than a sparrow, smaller than a robin. I struck out consulting bird guides. Mystifying.
Comments
SaltandLillacs t1_jeabjs1 wrote
It may be an escape pet or a white pigeon
TheLamestUsername t1_jeae8ir wrote
That is Steve
downwardspiralstairs t1_jeajxnh wrote
Was it carrying a coconut?
becausefrog t1_jeanvr5 wrote
Sometimes birds are leucistic, making them partially or all white. It can happen to any animal. It's not albinism unless the eyes are also pale pink or red.
If we saw the shape of it we'd be better able to tell you what type of bird it is. This is what a fully white leucistic robin looks like.
Jusmon1108 t1_jeapxbp wrote
Was it wearing Lululemon? If so, that is the NIMBy Agilis.
monkiesandtool t1_jeauj4o wrote
African or European?
ScarletOK t1_jeaxu00 wrote
Boy, the things you learn on Reddit. Before I saw that, it would have scared me if I saw it in the wild.
becausefrog t1_jeazg2s wrote
There's also melanism, which makes animals black.
There is a pair of melanistic squirrels that lives at MIT. I've seen them along Mass Ave in front of Buildings 1 and 5.
SuckMyAssmar t1_jeb08m4 wrote
Swallow
creatron t1_jeb1e96 wrote
This would be my vote. And for some reason American Robins are more prone to leucism than others bird species.
Adventurous_Hour5475 t1_jeb5cjw wrote
There is an albino squirrel at Charles River park. What if they mate? I wonder
ScarletOK t1_jebbpb9 wrote
I've seen both black and white squirrels but I've never seen a bird like this! So interesting
legstrongv t1_jebohdk wrote
Dinner.
New-Vegetable-1274 t1_jed0p26 wrote
Black squirrels are commonplace in Western MA and red ones in Northeast CT.
becausefrog t1_jed2wlo wrote
Red squirrels are a different species than grey squirrels, but black squirrels are a gene mutation which can occur in either species. It's really fascinating. Melanism doesn't occur in humans but can be found in mammals, birds, and even lizards.
f1Ynoeld3TRCRaw t1_jed84na wrote
> pure white
you sure it wasn't just a local?
ednamillion99 t1_jeefuq7 wrote
There’s a leucistic sparrow who lives in my neighborhood — I love seeing it! I bet that’s what you’re seeing, a leucistic bird of some sort.
zzztak OP t1_jef6gkb wrote
Wow, I think you nailed it. The picture in the link looks very much like what I observed. Nature is full of surprises. Thanks!
zzztak OP t1_jef6led wrote
And now I'm wondering how rare leucistic robins are........???
dangdoodlewang t1_jea8oo3 wrote
that's the turkeys' dealer