Why are there so many leucistic American Robins this year?

[Charline]

I have seen at least three different leucistic American robins since this spring.

Yesterday I saw another one with a white head. Unfortunately I did not take a photo.


This one was seen on May 18, in midtown Toronto.

https://charline.pixels.com/featured/1-leucistic-american-robin-charline-xia.html


Another one was photographed in High Park in March.

https://charline.pixels.com/featured/leucistic-american-robin-charline-xia.html

They are all different birds.


I thought they are supposed to be rare. Why are there so many this year?

[Shortsighted]

May be gang related, like a tattoo. Part of hood culture ... robin hood? A huge sale on bleach? What's her name? Leucie?

[Charline]

May be gang related, like a tattoo. Part of hood culture ... robin hood? A huge sale on bleach? What's her name? Leucie?

LOL, I went back to look for the white-headed Leucie, she was avoiding me!! 

[Shortsighted]

Leucie avoiding you? Of course she's avoiding you! She knows that you're going to ask her about the white patches. Leutsie knows, full well, that she's got some splaining to do.

[Charline]

Seriously, for your long-term and serious bird watchers, how often do you see a leucistic bird?

Are they just following me around??

[thouc]

Leuicism is inherited, so these might be relatives of each other and also explains why it might be more common in a certain area.


https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/behaviour/plumage/leucism#:~:text=Although%20leucism%20is%20inherited%2C%20the,be%20more%20prone%20to%20wear.

[Charline]

It makes sense, Thouc, the white head and spotted one are very likely related.