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Leucistic Egyptian goose in Oxfordshire02/08/2010 13:56:30
Leucistic goose, seen in Oxfordshire. Image taken by Molly H This white (leucistic) goose was seen in Oxfordshire, and the photo was sent to us by Molly H. The goose is probably a leucistic Egyptian goose (possibly one of two in Oxfordshire). A very similar goose was seen at Slimbridge in 2008. Leucism (or Leukism)Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures. Albinism is a different condition. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches. This occassionaly causes very excited biologists to think they have discovered a new species, when in fact leucism is the cause of the unusual markings they have seen. Click here to see more leucistic birds and animals.
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My friend and I came across this bird on the bank of the Thames by the boat-houses at Christ Church Meadow in the centre of Oxford, on Tuesday 8 March 2011. It has taken a while to work out what it was, but my friend identified it using a book of African birds and this photo confirms. It is all white apart from the very light buff feathers on the wings and around the eye. The eye itself is a very piercing yellow, and this is what made it difficult to identify at first. It is very tame and approachable up to one meter.
Posted by: Ian Cunningham | 11 Mar 2011 20:05:31