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White is the new Blackbird The latest issue of Bird Table magazine features this amazing photograph of a partial albino Blackbird. Such striking individuals are unusual and the British Trust for Ornithology is keen to hear from people who have any similar birds using their gardens. This photograph is available for use in association with this press release.
‘The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is hoping to hear from garden birdwatchers who have birds with unusual plumage visiting their gardens. This appeal for information comes from the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch Team, which coordinates the World’s largest year round study of garden birds. Mike Toms, Garden BirdWatch Organiser, said ‘We sometimes get sent photographs of, or letters about, birds with unusual plumage. Many of these birds have white feathers in place of more normally coloured ones and so look very different. Most of the reports we receive refer to Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Jackdaws and crows but albinism has been recorded in many other species over the years. We’d really like to know what sort of species are showing this type of plumage abnormality at the moment and where in the country these birds are being seen.’ Albino individuals probably lose out to birds showing normal colouration. They may find it difficult to attract a mate because they look different, they are more obvious to potential predators and they also tend to suffer from poor health. A common misconception
is that all examples of albinism are due to a genetic mutation and
that the condition is always hereditary. While some instances are
the result of a genetic mutation affecting the genes that control
‘normal’ colour, others may result from dietary deficiencies,
stress or injury. In some individuals, the amount of white displayed
actually increases with age. Notes for editors 1. Albinos. If any readers, viewers or listeners would like to report a garden bird showing unusual plumage, then they should write to GBW (albino survey), FREEPOST, BTO, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2BR or call 01842-750050 and ask for the Garden BirdWatch Team. 2. Bird Table Magazine. The article on which this press release is based appears in the most recent issue of Bird Table magazine. A PDF of this article is available by clicking here. Bird Table magazine is published quarterly and sent free to all BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatchers. An annual subscription to the project costs just £12 and all new joiners will receive a free copy of the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch Book (which normally retails for £9.99). 3. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch is the only nationwide survey of garden birds to run weekly throughout the year, providing important information on how birds use gardens, and how this use changes over time. Currently, some 16,500 people take part in the project. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch is funded by participants’ contributions and supported by CJ WildBird Foods Ltd and is the largest year round survey of garden birds anywhere in the world. For more information see www.bto.org/gbw 4. Colour photographs. The image shown, together with other garden bird images, is freely available for use in association with this press release. Please contact images@bto.org to request an electronic version. The image shows a partial albino Blackbird by Dave Croman. The copyright of the image rests with the photographer but he has given his permission for the use of the photograph in support of this press release. No other use is permitted. 5. CJ WildBird Foods. CJ WildBird Foods is Europe’s leading supplier of bird food and bird feeding products. CJ WildBird Foods have been responsible for a number of significant developments within the bird food and feeding industry, including the introduction of black sunflower seeds to the UK as a major new bird food and the development of specialist seed mixes for use in tubular feeders. They have also been supporting research into the changing fortunes of garden bird populations, most notably through the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch. 6. Mike Toms. Mike Toms has worked for the BTO since 1994 and is responsible for coordinating the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch project. He is the author of a book on garden birds and co-author of a book on bird migration. As well as his interest in garden birds he also has an interest in mammals, invertebrates and wildlife-friendly gardening. 7. Contacts. Mike Toms
(Garden BirdWatch Organiser) BTO Digital
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