BTO want records of garden birds with unusual plumage

This lovely image was taken in Cheshire, UK, by Sheila Blamire. The woodpecker has unusual colouring and is probably displaying Xanthochroism

Birds with odd colours? Let BTO know

December 2011. From time to time you may encounter a bird with plumage that is rather different from that which would be typical for the species. Some of these abnormalities may result from abnormal feather growth or feather loss, while others may be a consequence of problems with pigmentation.

While such abnormalities can be rather striking in their appearance, the form in which they occur tends to be rather predictable, highlighting their predominantly genetic origin. Having plumage that differs from the population 'norm' is often disadvantageous, giving the wrong signals to other individuals or making the bird more obvious to would-be predators. Feathers with reduced pigment are often less robust and wear more rapidly, reducing flight efficiency and decreasing their insulative properties.Changes in the amount and/or distribution of particular feather pigments are some of the most commonly reported types of plumage abnormality. Most often, these abnormalities occur within the common feather pigments, like melanin, and so we tend to see a pattern to the types of abnormalities being reported.

Report your sightings
The BTO are collecting details on as many of these birds as they can - so please fill in their online questionaire if you have seen something unusual.  

Gallery of birds and animals with unusual colours 

Click here to see our gallery of albino and leucistic animals and birds.