White headed Blackbird

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Nev Brook
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:50 am

White headed Blackbird

Postby Nev Brook » Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:06 am

I have joined this Forum just to post this sighting as it seems a most unusual and wonderful thing. A white headed blackbird has been visiting our garden in Clarks Beach, South Auckland.

I have tried to post a photograph but am not sure how to on this site. Let me know if you would like to see a photograph together with instructions on how to upload.

Cheers
Neville Brook
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Neil Fitzgerald
Site Admin
Posts: 3637
Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 10:20 am
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
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Re: White headed Blackbird

Postby Neil Fitzgerald » Wed Sep 05, 2018 7:47 pm

Hi Neville
Welcome to the forum.
This thread explains how to add photos: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5744
Richard Fenner
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Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 5:02 pm
Location: Mangawhai
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Re: White headed Blackbird

Postby Richard Fenner » Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:40 am

I've noticed almost an epidemic of partially albino Blackbirds in Auckland over the last year or so. Seems to run in the male line only. At one stage I had three birds at the Big King reserve - one had a white head (well a bit speckled) as well as white in the wing and tail - this one was the original I think, another had just white in the wings (like a Tui!), and the third had a little white on the head plus in the tail. I've also seen one closer to home at Taylor's Park in Mount Eden. Definitely a genetic study in the making!
Cheers
Richard
Nev Brook
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:50 am

Re: White headed Blackbird

Postby Nev Brook » Thu Sep 13, 2018 11:09 am

Here is a photo of the aforementioned white headed Blackbird. Not a very good photo it has to be said, he wouldn't stay still for me on the day. I have seen him closer than this and his head appears to be solid white i.e. not speckled. We have lots of Blackbirds here and apart from being beautiful and a pleasure to have around the place, they are very helpful pollinators in our Feijoa orchard. Feijoas need birds for pollination, the bees are no help. If anyone would like a better photograph I will see what I can do.
IMG_8225.JPG
IMG_8225.JPG (443.82 KiB) Viewed 3156 times
Paul Gibson
Posts: 263
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:49 am
Location: Whanganui

Re: White headed Blackbird

Postby Paul Gibson » Thu Sep 13, 2018 11:58 am

A closer photo would be nice, if possible. We had a white-headed blackbird around a Wanganui Park for a few years, possibly a similar looking bird to yours.
White Blackbird.jpg
White Blackbird.jpg (95.2 KiB) Viewed 3151 times
Jake
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:53 am

Re: White headed Blackbird

Postby Jake » Tue Sep 25, 2018 11:10 pm

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=247&start=70

Just posted a pic on the 'white birds' thread of a similar boy... not as stunning as your guy, Paul!

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