A rare leucistic or white native tūī was feeding this evening on the yellow pollen of harakeke blooms. Leucism is a genetic mutation that results in a total or partial reduction of colour in a bird’s plumage. A leucistic bird has the normal amount of melanin, but these pigments are inadequately fixated or fail to be deposited properly in the feathers. Leucistic birds usually have normal colouration of the eyes, bill, legs, and bare parts; however, interestingly, this tūī has reduced colouration in her eyes, bill, and legs.
Original resolution 3600 x 3600 px
