Brown Jackdaw - Netherlands (2 Viewers)

[birdh0mp]

Sorry to bump this very old thread but I couldn't find anything else to ask my question.

I am familiar with white patterns on crows and jackdaws but a while ago I encountered a brown jackdaw in the north of The Netherlands. I did make a quick picture of it but I can't find it anymore.

I would like to know if anyone else has seen something similar and also would love to hear what could cause a coloration like this.

The bird was searching for food in a patch of grassland together with some other jackdaws. Being quite familiar with jackdaws, I'm 100% sure it was one.

Anyone able to enlighten me?

 

[delia todd]

Hi birdh0mp and a warm welcome to you on behalf of the Staff and Moderators.

I've moved your post to start it's own thread - I'm sure you'll soon get some help.

D

 

[birdh0mp]

Thanks Delia

..for creating this thread of my own

 

[arniemonkey]

not a jackdaw but i saw a crow in switzerland with cream wings and tail very strange im in the same boat as you ..confused!

 

[Flemingo]

Leucism (or partial albinism) is not unusual in birds. Tends to result in white spots or patterns but does sometimes result in overall lightening of colour. Complete lack of pigment is usually termed albinism. Do a google image search for leucistic birds to see lots of pics. Its probably genetic although disease and diet can cause colour abnormalities

 

[phil baber]

All just suggestions!

It may have been erythristic....

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=erythrism&btnG=Search&meta=

My other options are...

It may have had it's plumage stained by bathing in a puddle containing iron oxide from industrial process. This has been known to happen in corvids.

Or, perhaps it picked up the irregular tint by visiting a particularly dirty chimney? As we know Jackdaws prospect and use chimney pots for nest-sites.

Smoke bathing or bathing in muddy puddles could also be another option?

 

[birdh0mp]

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many options.
It's a shame I can't find the pic anymore.
I think the bird had some form of Leucism. I couldn't find a nice match according to the colors and patterns though.

I think most people are familiar with wood chips used to make a pedestrian path in a park or something. Well, when the bird jumped on to this path, it completely blended in.
I remember this because this is what showed on the picture.
It might also be the reason that I don't have the picture anymore as it was practically impossible to spot a bird on that picture and I might have deleted it because I thought it was useless anyway.. bah

 

[phil baber]

There's a nice blue Stork on the Ruffled Feathers forum!

 

[fugl]

Here’s a couple of earlier threads on this subject:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=100044
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=119806&highlight=genetic+mutation

 

[ecinnemee]

I also spotted a brown jackdaw in Holland!

I stumbled accross this thread when I was trying to search on the internet to identify this bird! It had me really confused, but I managed to get a good picture of it. What do you think? To me it definitly looks like a Jackdaw.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Yes, a Jackdaw - presumably erythristic or hypomelanistic as in the other posts.