This leucistic Palm Warbler was photographed in Gwinnett County

Just a few weeks ago our Buford store got a report of a "white" hummingbird coming to flowers in a yard in Lawrenceville.  The next weekend, a different customer, Terri Gunder, came in and mentioned that she had a white hummingbird that had been visiting her feeders for the past week.  It turns out she lives in the same neigh-borhood as the first report!  Terri was able to take several photos (see Local Bird News) before the bird left, hopefully to continue safely on its southward migration.

These "white" birds are quite rare.  Their abnormal plumage is caused by a genetic mutation that affects pigment. They are either albinistic, or more commonly, leucistic.  Leucistic birds lack deposits of the pigment melanin in their feather structure.  Leucistic birds may have patches of white feathers or can be almost completely white, but their eyes, bill and legs will typically remain the normal color.  Albinistic birds lack melanin in their feathers and bodies, so they have pink or red eyes, bill and legs.  Their feathers are usually snow white.  While beautiful, both leucistic and albinistic birds face many challenges.  The lack of pigment makes feathers brittle, they are more susceptible to UV rays and also lack the camouflage of normal birds.  To our knowledge, no adult leucistic or albinistic birds have ever been banded or documented in the wild. Bird banders and scientists continue to study this phenomenon to learn more about these unique birds!  For more information and photos of other leucistic birds, visit the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

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