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michael ricks
Godfrey, IL, USA
I first saw this little fellow flashing his snow-white back in flight and was mystified as to what it could be. Then he visited the small feeder in my front yard for just a few seconds, and I got a better look. His entire back is snow-white. When he visited the feeder on my back deck on 3-6-18, I managed to snap this photo with my phone. Sorry about the quality – taken just after dawn through a double-paned (and dirty) sliding glass door.
Leucistic birds
Species: Black-capped Chickadee
white-backed chickadee
I noticed one of those too! Along with 2 or 3 normally colored ones, all regulars at my feeder here in Portland, OR.
I just saw one at my feeder in Seattle, WA!
I just saw one at my feeder today too.
And I just saw one at my feeder in Oak Grove (suburb south of Portland), Oregon.
March 25,2020 spotted one in Newport, RI!!
I have one at my feeder now. Never have seen it before today. Iām in Aptos, Ca.
Another chickadee just chased it away. š
I have one today at my feeder in West Grove, PA. Have never seen one like this before. Does anyone have any ID on the type or is this a natural genetic modification?
Hi Harold, This is likely a form of leucism. You can learn more about albinism, leucism, and other reasons birds have unusual coloration here.
I have many chickadees at feeders and one this year has a white back. Last year and this year there is one with a white tail.
Hi! We have several of these chickadees visiting our feeders per day and have only seen them so far in the last month. Our research indicates that they are Black Capped Chickadees affected by Leucism. Leucism is a genetic condition that results in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal. This is similar to albinism, but only has a partial effect causing white, pale, or patchy coloration and does not change the color of the eyes. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism
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