Odd Color Martin
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LarryL-MN
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:08 pm
- Location: Minnesota/Brainerd
- Martin Colony History: Built first house in 1972 and have had Martins ever since. Became an active landlord in 2002 after finding the PMCA web site.
I kept thinking that one of the hatchlings in this nest was being attacked by blowfly larva because of it pale color. I kept changing nests but never could find any problem. Now that it is a little older, we can see that it just has a little color problem. Sure hope it is a male and keeps its color and returns.
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very cool! what other colors do you have them in?? LOL
2004...notta
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hey Larry,
It looks like your martin nestling maybe leucistic. This means there is reduced pigmentation in the nestling's plumage/skin and the youngster looks like its feathers are almost "bleached". It is not the same as albino.
One year I had two leucistic youngsters in one nest. However, the other martins in the colony attacked the babies when they fledged. We watched a mob of martins pursue the young and constantly divebomb the leucistic fledglings when they were perched in the top of a tree. The parents tried to take care of their leucistic fledglings, but I doubt they survived.
Here is a photo showing one of the leucistic nestlings in the entrance hole of its nest; the youngster is in the upper left compartment:
Steve
It looks like your martin nestling maybe leucistic. This means there is reduced pigmentation in the nestling's plumage/skin and the youngster looks like its feathers are almost "bleached". It is not the same as albino.
One year I had two leucistic youngsters in one nest. However, the other martins in the colony attacked the babies when they fledged. We watched a mob of martins pursue the young and constantly divebomb the leucistic fledglings when they were perched in the top of a tree. The parents tried to take care of their leucistic fledglings, but I doubt they survived.
Here is a photo showing one of the leucistic nestlings in the entrance hole of its nest; the youngster is in the upper left compartment:
Steve
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
300+ pairs of martins each season
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
What an unusual find.............please try to take as many photos as you can, and please keep us updated.
Unfortunately as Steve related, leucistic and albino martins are usually harassed by others. However, on a positive note, there have been cases of some returning as SY and ASYs, and actually nesting and raising young.
I wish your *very special* martin much good luck.
Unfortunately as Steve related, leucistic and albino martins are usually harassed by others. However, on a positive note, there have been cases of some returning as SY and ASYs, and actually nesting and raising young.
I wish your *very special* martin much good luck.
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
Wow very kewl Color, you should try to document this one, too bad it can't be banded.
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.