Leucistic Annas hummingbird, UCSC Arboretum, California, USA  27 Apr 2024

Get your binoculars and field guide and head to a local park to see what birds you can spot! There are approximately 18,000 known species of birds around the world. Birds come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and behaviours, making them one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth—from imposing eagles to today"s tiny snowy-winged star, a leucistic Anna"s Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are typically vibrant in colour, but leucism means that they have decreased pigmentation, resulting in a paler appearance. Unlike albino birds, these hummingbirds retain some colour in their eyes. Their lighter plumage reduces protective camouflage, making them more vulnerable to predators such as hawks and feral cats.

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