Early this morning, Mr LizzieMade put out some mealworms (dried… I can’t quite cope with wiggly live ones!). A group of birds came down to feed, bringing their fledged chicks with them. Dave noticed a nice little grey-white collared dove baby – he’d never seen a baby collared dove before, so he stopped at the kitchen window for a closer look.
Only, it wasn’t a baby collared dove at all….
A little grey-white baby Starling!
An albino…maybe, we’re not sure – it doesn’t look quite white and I think it may still have dark eyes – so it’s just a pigment abnormality, rather than albinism. Still, it’s very rare and a bit exciting.
Not a great photo, but here’s one of the adult birds, feeding white-baby with mealworms and seeds.
We’re not sure what his chances are, of surviving very long. He’s obviously at a disadvantage, as he doesn’t have the camouflage that his friends and family have. On the other hand, he seems to be fit and healthy and starlings look after each other. Maybe he stands a good chance of a long life – and perhaps we’ll see him in the garden regularly.
They flew away just after I took these photos, so I was grateful to Dave, for waking me early, so I could see them. I had to share with you all – such a rare event is really too good not to share!
That's a lovely surprise Lizzie, hope the bird does survive. It certainly is an unusual one.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting Lizzie - the bird does look strong so it may have a chance and well observed by Dave.
ReplyDeleteThats one big baby! probably because of its fluffy chick feathers making it look larger than the other starlings. What a lovely rare sight :)
ReplyDeleteI do hope he survives!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
We've been enjoying seeing our various fledglings around the garden - hope your unusual one survives too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice discovery - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRinda
You have captured something most of us will never see, Lizzie, so it is great to be able to have a glimpse. Well done in the early rising!
ReplyDeleteaw, how sweet, I missed this picture...I wonder if he's still about?! We often have blackbirds with the odd white feather or one once with a white ring around it's eye but nothing like this!
ReplyDelete((Lyn))