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Archive 2015 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird * Added Bathing Pics *

KirkB
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

While out in the backyard Saturday afternoon, I saw this flash of white go by to my left, but as I turned to identify what it could be... it was gone. But I knew it was something unusual that I hadn't seen before. So I grabbed my camera and hoped whatever it was would return.

It did.

Having never seen a white Hummingbird, a quick google search seems to indicate that it is leucistic... there are also albino Hummers, but they have pink/red eyes and feet, which this one does not seem to have from what I can tell.

***** Final Edit for confirmed ID ***** It has been ID'd on the whatbird.com forum to be a Female Anna's that is also leucistic... and Greg (Plinian) adds that so-called "leucism" is a generic term for reduction/absence of pigment cells as opposed to pigment itself (which is albinism, and which is why "albino" individuals often have red or pink eyes). The mammalian counterpart would be a Boxer or a Dalmatian (I can definitely see the resemblance!)

These aren't beautiful pics because they're pretty heavy crops (I was so afraid of scaring it away), but I was thrilled to be able to document this rare visitor. I'm hoping of course that it stays around home for awhile.

D800 | Nikon 500 f/4 AF-S D | Handheld

Kirk

***** EDIT *****

As I had hoped, it came back Sunday afternoon and decided it needed to bathe a little in our backyard fountain.

Still need help identifying what species please.

6. 500mm 1/2000s f/6.3 ISO 2800 Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159248071/original.jpg

7. 500mm 1/2000s f/6.3 ISO 2000 Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159248075/original.jpg

8. 500mm 1/2000s f/6.3 ISO 1600 Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159248073/original.jpg

9. 500mm 1/2000 f/6.3 ISO 1600 Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159248072/original.jpg

10. Pic to Show Tail Feathers IF ~ 500mm 1/2000s f/6.3 ISO 1600 Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159248074/original.jpg

***** END EDIT ***** Original Pics Below

1. Side View ~ 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 1400

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159221948/original.jpg

2. Topside View ~ 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 1400

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159221947/original.jpg

3. Slightly Different Angle ~ 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 900

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159221949/original.jpg

4. Perched Side View (Heavy Crop) ~ 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 450

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159221946/original.jpg

5. Perched Front View (Heavy Crop) - 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 1400

http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/image/159221950/original.jpg

Edited on Mar 01, 2015 at 03:42 PM · View previous versions

Feb 22, 2015 at 01:04 AM

birdied
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Oh what a marvelous find !!! What a thrill it must be. I hope he/she sticks around for you.

Beautiful set of something certainly not often seen.

Birdie

Feb 22, 2015 at 01:08 AM

johnip
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Super cool! Hard enough to catch a hummer, but this is really neat!

I'm no expert on hummingbirds, but my Sibley guide shows both Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds wintering in southern CA with Anna's having a much greater range. It also has a short, straight bill and longer wings like your bird. I'm leaning towards it being an Anna's. Did you get any photos of the tail spread out? That could help nail down the ID as the Anna's Humminbird has wider and more rounded tail feathers.

-John

Feb 22, 2015 at 01:28 AM

KirkB
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

johnip wrote:
Super cool! Hard enough to catch a hummer, but this is really neat!

I'm no expert on hummingbirds, but my Sibley guide shows both Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds wintering in southern CA with Anna's having a much greater range. It also has a short, straight bill and longer wings like your bird. I'm leaning towards it being an Anna's. Did you get any photos of the tail spread out? That could help nail down the ID as the Anna's Humminbird has wider and more rounded tail feathers.

-John

Thanks John. This OOF pic is the only capture I got with the tail feathers being fanned a bit, not sure it's going to help much.

Better pic of tail feathers up above ~ #10

Edited on Feb 23, 2015 at 03:13 PM · View previous versions

Feb 22, 2015 at 01:55 AM

johnip
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Good enough since it shows the shape and white tips quite well! Pretty confident that this is an Anna's Hummingbird. Fairly wide tail feathers with just a bit of white at the tip of the third feather in looks like examples I've been looking at. An Allen's tail feathers come to sharp points unlike this bird's tail.

Feb 22, 2015 at 02:39 AM

brimull
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

How unusual. You did a nice job capturing its surprising appearance. Well done.

Brian M.

Feb 22, 2015 at 05:31 AM

RobAmy
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Awesome looking bird

Feb 22, 2015 at 07:20 AM

angel manguel
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Very unusual. Give yourself more credit! These are great images of a rare find. Well done.

Alan

Feb 22, 2015 at 08:05 AM

eyelaser
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

It always amazes and astounds me what nature has in store for those luckily enough to be there to see what she has produced. I've never seen a leucistic hummingbird and frankly hadn't ever even seen a photo of one. How lucky of you to get these images and us to see them. My view of hummingbirds is pretty spiritual and this one gave me chills....a very very special visitor to your garden.
Eric

Feb 22, 2015 at 08:11 AM

morris
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Great work Kirk. Three is gorgeous. It's amazing the variations we find.

Morris

Feb 22, 2015 at 08:22 AM

canadajim
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Amazing! Great captures.

Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Feb 22, 2015 at 09:04 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

I'd be super happy with these Kirk. Congrats on the unusual visitor ~ Ron

Feb 22, 2015 at 09:54 AM

CaddisCO
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Great find, and nice shots, Kirk. I like #1 the best.

Kevin

Feb 22, 2015 at 10:26 AM

JimLittle
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

I've never seen such an example....well done!

Feb 22, 2015 at 10:58 AM

canon.eos30d
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Wonderful capture of a rare hummer, Kirk.

- Tam

Feb 22, 2015 at 11:05 AM

KCollett
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

That is a first for me. Cool capture Kirk. You got some wonderful images of the hummer in action (and resting too).

Feb 22, 2015 at 11:20 AM

voltaire
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Amazing find and great photos to prove it. Congratulations!

Feb 22, 2015 at 11:54 AM

David Leask
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

You are wrong Kirk! These ARE beautiful pics! Well done indeed, great job

David

Feb 22, 2015 at 12:56 PM

ashley138
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

I think these are still quite nice shots! And oh wow what a find! This is definitely a once in a lifetime occurrence!

Feb 22, 2015 at 07:00 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Really cool find Kirk. Shots are great for the dull light you had. I like #3 the best.

TFS
Geoff

Feb 22, 2015 at 07:31 PM

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Archive 2015 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird *** Added Bathing Pics ***

Archive 2015 · Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird * Added Bathing Pics *