A photographic record of partial leucism in Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) from Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Abstract Leucism is a colour anomaly defined by a lack of pigmentation, which may be partial or full in any individual. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to a high incidence of plumage colour aberrations in wild birds, the true incidence of these aberrations in wild populations has been studied very less. The present report describes an instance of partial leucism in a Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) from Chhattisgarh, India. This colour aberration in this species was first documented in 1990. More research is needed to determine the exact reasons for the high incidence of partial leucism in wild birds, which might include nutrition, lifespan, behaviour, parasitism, or other environmental factors.