Date: 8/19/26 5:28 pm From: Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54...> Subject: [sd-birds] Aberrant House Finch
The House Finch party at my place today was mundane as usual until it was unexpectedly crashed by a somewhat raucous visitor; a House Finch of a different color, you might say. What he/she lacked in melanin however, was made up for in attitude. The bird is not leucistic but rather has a genetic condition called Iso (Isonin) Mutation according to my online reading. This genetic condition is indicated by a lack of melanin in the legs and bill causing them to be pinkish, and even the skin surrounding the eye is pink and the eye itself is paler. With Leucism, only certain feathers would be affected and would be more of a stark white instead of the muted creamy and buffy shades seen on this bird.
The party crasher was very aggressive toward the other finches. It is suggested that could be caused by poor vision due to the melanin deficiency and possibly an overly active "defense system" due to the target on its back from being so white.
I hope you find interesting birds!
Cheryl Vellenga
Sisseton, SD
