Leucistic Anna's hummingbird in the Australia Garden, UCSC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, California, USA

© yhelfman/Getty Image

Leucistic Anna's hummingbird

Get your binoculars and field guide and head out to a local park to spot a feathered creature! Birds come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and behaviours, making them one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth—from imposing eagles to today's tiny snowy-winged star, a leucistic Anna's Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are typically vibrant, but leucism means that they have decreased pigmentation, resulting in a paler appearance. Unlike albino birds, these hummingbirds retain some colour in their eyes. As winter approaches, the Anna's hummingbird faces new challenges. With its lighter plumage offering little protection from predators like hawks and feral cats, these enchanting creatures navigate a perilous landscape.