Have you seen this leucistic Oystercatcher around Dublin before?
The Dublin Bay I-WeBS count team say he’s a regular,
and often come across him during their monthly rising tide surveys. We first
noticed him this year on Sutton Strand on the 12th September, and
picked him up again on the Red Arches pitches in Baldoyle yesterday.
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| Leucistic Oystercatcher Anna ValentÃn |
Leucism results in white feathers, due to an absence of
melanin pigment. It is an inherited trait, so we can’t know for sure if we’re looking
at a single individual or perhaps one of its offspring. Aside from making
affected birds more noticeable to predators, the white feathers are prone to
more abrasion than normal feathers, and this can affect flight in some cases. And
if that wasn’t bad enough, there is evidence that sometimes these birds aren’t recognised
by their peers and potential mates!
Speaking of birds standing out from the crowd, when you’re
out and about this weekend, keep an eye out for some newly colour-ringed Redshanks!
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