𝗟𝗲𝘂𝗰𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄 — 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗻𝗮𝗱𝘂, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 (𝟭𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) 🖤🤍

• Species: House Crow — Corvus splendens — Tamil: காக்கா
• Location/Date: Vellore – Tamilnadu – India • 18th Oct 2025
• EXIF: Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z 800 mm • 1/2000 sec • f/7.1 • ISO 1000

Story 📖
Cloudy morning with no hint of sunlight. On the return, this odd-looking crow stood out—its feathers pale from reduced pigmentation. I made a few frames to document the sighting. The other crows carried on unfazed—a quiet lesson from nature about acceptance.

Field Guide 🔎
• Identification: Typical House Crow size and shape; pale/patchy plumage due to leucism (partial loss of melanin). Eyes/legs look normal (unlike albinism).
• Habitat & Diet: Urban/rural edges, markets, farms; omnivorous—grains, insects, scraps.
• Breeding: Nests in trees/poles; 3–5 eggs; both parents share duties.
• Range: Widespread across the Indian subcontinent; closely associated with people.
• Look-alike Tip: Albinism shows pink/red eyes and uniformly white plumage; leucism is patchy/pale while eyes stay normal.

Micro-caption ✍️
Leucism in a common city companion—same spirit, softer shades.