Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Susan Campbell banded and photographed this leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird on 25 Aug 2005 at Renee and Herb Underwood's home near Apex, Wake Co., NC.
Susan notes: The hummingbird was an immature and a female--as the vast majority of albino or leucistic Ruby-throats studied to date have been. This is only the fourth white hummer I have had the privilege to study close up (three of which I have banded) in North Carolina. She was not a full albino--but close. Her eyes, bill and feet were a medium brown and her plumage mostly white. She had a tan wash to a good percentage of the contour feathers but the wings were completely white, and the tail had a band of light brown where the black coloration would have been.
I have never seen a hummer like this one up close! Fascinating!!
The plumage was mostly white with a tan wash
The eye is a medium brown
Upper side of the tail
Under side of the tail
The feet were medium brown
The bill was a medium brown
Ready for release