Light-, buff-colored starling (1 Viewer)

[MountGilead]

I live in Central Ohio and the last couple days have seen a very light, almost buff-colored starling among a flock of about 15 European starlings.

It's markings are identical, other than the color, similar to what's below.

I haven't yet gotten a good picture, but I'm certain it's a starling.

Likely, simply a genetic anomaly?

Thanks!

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Yes, if its identical to a Starling, just with a paler ground colour, than its a leucistic or flavistic one. There are many examples for this in literature and on the net. Partly, because these paler individuals can provoke confusion with 1 cy Rosy Starlings.
Example is here: https://birdingsthelens.blogspot.com/2020/08/leucistic-starling-in-garden.html

A just slightly paler 1 cy Starling from me:

https://flic.kr/p/QUCxsp

(July/August 2001, Stahlbrode, NE-Germany)

 

[nartreb]

wrong time of year, but young starlings are this color:

https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/media/images/2012/12/european_starling_juvenile_12-09-12.jpg

 

[KC Foggin]

How strange. I don't believe I have ever seen a Starling all one color like this.

 

[MountGilead]

I did for just a brief moment think of a juvenile, but not in February.

It is very similar to Alexander's photo - Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello MountGilead,
I just realized, that I forgot one important thing: welcome to birdforum!

 

[KC Foggin]

welcome to birdforum!

and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum

We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[Deb Burhinus]

How strange. I don't believe I have ever seen a Starling all one color like this.

They are only that colour for a few weeks KC then they moult into 1st winter plumage

Common Starling stock photo

Stock photo Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) immature, first winter plumage, standing on mud, Suffolk, England, August. Buy a licence on mindenpictures.com

www.mindenpictures.com

Welcome to Birdforum from me too Mount Gilead!

BTW Leucism is is fairly unusual but I have seen several juvenile Starlings with leucism actually moult into normal plumage as they commence their post-juvenile moult so it is likely an age related phenomenon in most cases. (No idea why juvenile Starling would have a greater propensity for leucism than other juvenile bird species though!)

Both Alex’s examples look to be juvenile on the link and moulting out of juvenile leucism into 1w on his Flkr page.

 

[KC Foggin]

They are only that colour for a few weeks KC then they moult into 1st winter plumage

Thanks Deb.

 

[MountGilead]

These pics aren't the best - took them with my phone ... looking through my binos!

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Yes, judging from the images it looks leucistic - the spots indicate that it is not a juvenile and has therefore already replaced it’s flight feathers (juveniles have a complete p.j moult) - perhaps it is a 2cy that will still grow out of it and will moult into darker plumage in the next summer moult?

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, can’t help with the id. Wanted to let you know that per the forum rules, we require the location in the thread title, and not just in the first post of the thread. Appreciate your doing this going forward. Thanks