Horses with Birdcatcher Spots

A look at horses with birdcatcher spots around the world and in a variety of different breeds.

Also called tetrarch or chubari spots, birdcatcher spots or ticks are random patterns of small, round white spots on any color coat. Usually ranging from pearl to silver dollar shaped, they can appear or change as the horse matures, they can also fade away. They are clean marks, without roaning and generally quite round, making them obviously different from injury spots. Not believed to be associated with any of the white spotting patterns.

Birdcatcher Characteristics

Named for a Thoroughbred stallion who bore them, as he was known for passing the spots on to his progeny. While first ‘officially’ recognized in a TB, they occur in other breeds as well. Most of our examples look Thoroughbred, but there is some Arabian and some sort of draft blood in there as well. It seems this pattern affects all of the base colors (though we were only able to find chestnut examples). On some animals the spots appear after maturity and grow for a while, then begin to fade away again and on others the spots are permanent throughout their life.

Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots
Horse with birdcatcher spots