THE BIRD GUY: Unusual cedar waxwing

A cedar waxwing with a rare genetic disorder causing a loss of pigmentation in its feathers. Photo by Jon Albrecht.

Sept. 28, 2026

By Jon Albrecht

A “normal” cedar waxwing. Photo by Jon Albrecht.

I first found this leucistic (a rare genetic mutation that causes a partial loss of melanin pigmentation, resulting in pale or washed-out feathers, while still retaining some faint natural yellow markings or a partial black mask) cedar waxwing in the evergreens just past the culvert on Bayview Road at David Wardwell's stream. 

The comparison between the "normal" bird and the leucistic bird is quite dramatic.

— Jon Albrecht, aka “The Bird Guy,” is a bird photographer who can often be seen in Penobscot or surrounding towns, searching for his next feathered friend to put in focus.