Blackbird - Pure white tail

[trastevere]

This morning I saw a male blackbird with a pure white tail. I watched close up for quite a few minutes and am 100% certain that it is a blackbird. Would it be an albino and are they rare?

[gessoo]

Actually it's quite common to see blackbirds with white feathers. An albino Blackbird would be pure white all over and, although rare, are sometimes seen. I once saw an albino pheasant - incredible sight!

[WendyS]

Have never seen a completely albino blackbird although last year we had a regular visitor for several months with a large streak of white feathers down one wing, whom we nicknamed Flash. Sadly we no longer see him so I suspect he possibly died.. I think albinos do exist in most species, but are probably uncommon. During the very dry summer two years ago we had two albino badgers visit us for several nights but again have sadly never seen them since.