Leucistic Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Parker Valley, La Paz County

This leucistic Brown-headed Cowbird was found and photographed by Lauren Harter on 03 November 2015

Leucism is relatively common in blackbirds (Icteridae). However, mostly white birds such as this one are rarely seen, likely in part due to their high visibility to predators.

Identification is based on the bird being the same size and shape as surrounding Brown-headed Cowbirds, with the same bill structure as well. This bird was in a mixed species flock including about 18,000 cowbirds.

03 November 2015, photo by Lauren Harter

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