Partial albino yellow-rumped warbler

Despite the ugly weather forecast I ventured up to the Skagit Flats to look for raptors. Shortly after I got there I noticed this small mostly white bird flitting about in the underbrush. My first thought was snow bunting but through the binoculars I could see the yellow markings characteristic of a yellow-rumped warbler. It allowed me to take several pictures at fairly close range. Because the light was low I was forced to shoot at ISO 800 (I seldom go over 400). Here are a few images of this very attractive and unusual little bird.
Bob

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Wonderful find and capture Bob... terrific shots.

Through all the years I have watched & photographed warblers, I have never seen one like this... an interesting post, thanks.

db

Wow, beautiful little bird, great find and pics.

Mike

What a unique bird you captured Bob, beautiful indeed, excellent. it would be worth going back after again in better light, even though the ones you have are very nice.

Great find and great shots also...pretty bird.

Excellent captures Bob! Very unique colors on this bird.

Well done.

Nice shots even at 800

Sweet shots Bob. You need a 7D buddy.

I think this is Leucism, and not Albinism.

thats a great series, what a nice poser he is, great shots Bob

Great captures.

Great captures!

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Mitch - This was discussed by some of the local experts. They felt that leucism might be more likely to affect the entire body evenly whereas albinism could be more blotchy. Also notice that the feet are pale but the legs are dark. It is still somewhat of a mystery. I hope it survives because it is very conspicuous.
Bob

Bob, Leucism can affect any part of the body and is blotchy. It can affect one feather or the whole bird. I have a number of birds here, from Hummers to Cardinals and sparrows that have Leucism. One family of hummers I've watched show leucism in the females and is progressive from one generation to the next.

It can also affect animals. Albinism is debilitating, depending on the degree of it, so I think birds, with the hard lifestyle they already have, will not survive long with Albinism, while Leucism has no bad side effects at all, other than maybe making it hard for a bird to find a mate, if it looks too different.

Excelent find and capture. First time I see a leucistic Yellow Rumped warbler..Very nice!!

Very nice Bob. Thanks for sharing.