In this article, we’ll learn all about bird feathers and why some birds tend to have white feathers.
The truth is that it’s almost impossible to find birds with feathers that are completely white. Of course, there are many birds with strips or patches of white scattered all over their body.
If you’re looking for birds with ONLY white feathers, you’re not going to find many.
Because it’s not a common trait in birds. However, after digging around, here’s what I found out:
Birds with white feathers include Chickadee, Mallard, Golden Finches, Macaws, Cockatoos, and also the Egyptian Geese. These white feathering sometimes depict the symbol of love and respect, while in most cases, it’s a sign of some health issues.
Sometimes, a bird with white feathers is generally the sign of some type of health issue, so knowing what type of health issue a particular bird has is vital — in order to help you properly care for that bird.
It will also give you some idea of what types of birds are in the neighborhood.
A bird with a white feather is almost always ill. If you see your bird in this condition, it is always best to immediately take that bird to the vet.
If you cannot get to the vet in time, try to encourage your bird to take the feather off of itself. A feather in a bird’s own feather can be a symptom of a number of health issues.
Some signs of a sick bird include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia.
If you see any of these symptoms with your bird, it is always best to take that bird to the vet right away.
If left untreated, a bird can become dangerously ill, which could potentially result in death.
While birds in general do have different types of feathers.
The most common cause of white feathers in birds is a viral infection that can be transmitted from one bird to another.
There are several different types of viruses that can cause this type of disease, but the most common are the parainfluenza virus, the herpes virus and the avian flu virus.
If you notice any strange bald patches on your bird’s head, especially around the eyes, or on other parts of the body, it is important to take that bird to the vet immediately.
While white feather in a bird can sometimes be simply caused by a virus, it is more often the result of something else.
If your bird shows any unusual changes in behavior such as disinterest in eating, loss of appetite or inability to fly, it is highly recommended that you visit your vet to ensure your bird’s well-being.
Although health problems can come from a variety of factors, the most common cause of this condition is a bacterial infection.
This type of infection can affect a bird’s immune system and cause it to become weaker.
If you suspect that your bird may have a bacterial infection, it is always best to visit your veterinarian for proper diagnosis.
If you notice any unusual behavior on your bird, make sure that you act quickly.
Your bird’s well-being is always better when it is given the attention that it deserves.
Don’t wait until your bird becomes seriously ill or if you want to be assured that your bird is getting all of the attention it needs.
Why do birds have white feathers?
The most common question that people ask when they see birds with white feathering is, “Why do birds have so much white?”
There are two main answers to this question. First of all, a bird’s feathering does not have to match the color of its body.
For example, many different kinds of Swallows and Eagles have white feathering.
This is an indication that the feathering is genetically in-tune with their natural coloration.
It is possible for a bird to have white feathering on its body but have black coloring on its face or head.
This happens only when the feathering is chemically treated so it looks white in its natural state.
Breeding pattern
Another reason why some birds have white feathering is because they have been bred to look white.
The problem with this is that a bird with a very light color can appear white to its human observer but appear completely different to the bird itself.
In other words, it will be white in appearance but look grayish or brownish to the bird itself.
Chickadee
One type of bird that tends to have white feathers on its body is the chickadee.
The chickadee has a unique genetic makeup. In addition to having white feathering on its body, the female chickadee has a white patch on its abdomen.
This patch is actually caused by a growth on the end of the female’s abdomen called a ‘crown’.
The color of the crown differs between male and female chicks.
Mallard
One more type of bird that tends to have white feathering is the mallard. As the name implies, the white color of the feathering is quite dark.
However, if the bird is an adult, the white coloring that can be found on its body and in its face is only a part of its overall body coloring.
In fact, the face will still appear grayish when the bird is a mature adult.
The most important reason why a bird has white feathers is to help it blend with its environment.
This means that a bird with dark coloration on its body will need a bright environment in order to be noticed.
If the bird is not able to blend into its environment, it may become stressed, injured, or even eaten.
Some birds that have very light-colored gatherings are the Amazons of Australia, the Cockatoos, the Egyptian Geese, the Golden Finches, and the Macaws.
These birds are able to blend in with their surroundings because they have such a light coloration on their bodies.
On the other hand, the Bald Eagles has a darker coloration on their bodies than their head and on their body.
Symbol of love and respect
A final reason why birds have white feathering is because they are usually seen as a symbol of love and respect.
When people see birds with white feathering on their bodies, they will often display them in public places where they can easily be noticed and also a bird is seen as something special to be respected.
How to identify a bird feather?
There are many different methods to learn how to identify a bird feather.
First of all, there are some birds that have very different body sizes and so you will need a different method for each one of them.
Here are a few of the more common ones you may want to consider trying.
You can even find some great bird videos online that will show you the different methods they use and help you determine which ones are most effective for you.
1). Feel the tweezers
The most popular way to learn how to identify a bird feather is to simply take a pair of tweezers and feel it with your hand.
You should be able to feel it very easily without actually touching the feathers of the bird itself.
If you can’t, then you may want to try taking a piece of paper and tracing it on the feather.
That may give you a bit more of an idea of what it feels like. It will also help you see if the feather looks just like a piece of something else, or if it matches with something else that you see.
2). Watch the bird fly
Another way to learn how to identify a feather is to watch it fly.
If it has a very strange or unusual flight pattern, then this may be a good sign to let you know that you are not dealing with a regular bird.
Look at the other fliers that are flying around in the same area and see what they are doing.
Do they all seem to be quite similar, or do they all appear to be flitting all over the place?
3). Check YouTube videos
One method that you can find on the web that teaches you how to identify a bird feather is to just go to YouTube and search for videos of birds in the wild.
You may also want to look up pictures of birds and then study them.
Sometimes, you can even find video clips that can give you an idea of what the bird feathers would look like. You can then decide whether or not they look like they belong to a bird.
4). Bird watching
Get out of your house and take a bird’s eye view of the area where the feathers have been found.
You can either do this by using binoculars or a camera to take the bird’s eye view directly into the lens. This may give you a better idea of what the bird feathers look like.
As you can see, there are many ways to learn how to identify a feather and you may want to try using any or all of the methods you find that you can to see if you can get an accurate picture of what you are dealing with.
If you do, then you will be able to get an idea of what bird feathers really are and you will have a greater understanding of the birds that live in your area.
Summary
It’s not common to find birds with white feathers. Yes, there are birds with patches and strips of white on their feathers and wings, but not completely white.
White feathers could be as a result of some underlying health issues or environmental changes.