Unusual Bird: Albino Finch?
Additional images:
I have seen this handsome fellow in my backyard feeder for the last 4 months. Sometimes he shows up when no one else is there, but normally he arrives with the other finches. He is the same size as the house finches, so I call him my albino finch. He always eats from the feeder, never eats off the ground.
I’ve been feeding birds at this location for 13 years and have not seen anything else like him. (I did spot a zebra finch, but that is another story.)
If it’s not a finch, what is it?
Note from FeederWatch staff: The bird appears to be a leucistic House Finch. Leucism is a plumage abnormality related to the deposition of pigment on feathers. You can learn more about leucism and other color variations in the Learn section of our website. It can be difficult to identify birds with plumage variations, but comparing the size, shape, and behavior of the bird with other birds in the vicinity or seeing which birds it associates with can give you clues.
Categories: Leucistic birds
Comments
15 comments on “Unusual Bird: Albino Finch?”
We just saw a similar bird at our sunflower seed feeder a few days ago, and it’s been hanging around with the house finches since then. A really good birder I know recommended I search on albinistic finches and that search lead me here!
I have one! First sighting today ..very cool !
I finally seen him again. No good pics . I live in Enfield NC
I had one show up today at our feeder. We are in NW Iowa, 70 miles from MN, 70 miles from SD.
Saw one today in Dillon MT
I saw him twice now… Very Cool and BEAUTIFUL!!!FR
Saw one this morning at my feeder! Amazing! My backyard mockingbird chased him from the garden, hopefully he’ll return! Southeast coastal Georgia.
I have one on my feeders in St. Louis, Missouri, been here a couple days. It looked as if it had its wings clipped because of the way it flitted about but then flew away.
I just saw one today, outside Troy Ohio.
We have one that has been to our feeders daily for the last three weeks in Revillo, South Dakota.
I have a pair of these that frequent my feeder in Murrieta, CA and I have a picture of them from today. They fly with all the other house finches.
Just saw one of these beautiful little white birds this morning in Nashville, NC. First ever!
Just saw one at my feeder in Madison, WI.
I have one that has been visiting my feeder in Central Point, Oregon this September 2025. I’ve never seen one before this. It comes usually with a flock of finch friends. My bird is mostly white with reddish color on part of head.
We have one currently visiting our feeder here in Tucson, hanging out with the other finches.