Birds come in a stunning array of colours, from the bright red plumage of cardinals to the iridescent feathers of hummingbirds. Yet, there is one particular bird that lacks any pigmentation at all: the albino bird.
What is an albino bird?
An albino bird is one that has a complete lack of melanin pigment in its feathers, eyes, skin, scales, or fur. Melanin is responsible for providing colouration. Without it, albino birds appear completely white or pale pink. Their eyes may also appear red or pink.
Albinism is rare in birds, occurring in about 1 in every 1,800 births. It is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents the body from producing melanin properly. Both parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed physically in the offspring. Albinism has been observed in various bird species, including sparrows, swallows, blackbirds, penguins, and eagles.
Characteristics of albino birds
In addition to their lack of pigmentation, albino birds have other distinctive characteristics that set them apart from their normally pigmented counterparts.
- White or pale pink feathers
- Pale or pink eyes
- Sensitive skin and eyes
- Poor eyesight
- Weaker bill and nails
- Smaller body size
- Shorter lifespan
Without protective melanin in their skin and eyes, albino birds are extremely vulnerable to sunburn and damage from ultraviolet light. Their vision is often impaired. They may be more timid and cautious as a result of their increased sensitivity.
Challenges facing albino birds
The absence of normal pigmentation leaves albino birds at a major disadvantage in the wild. Here are some of the key challenges they face:
- Greater visibility to predators – Their white plumage stands out against natural vegetation, making them an easy target.
- Rejection by parents – Bird parents sometimes reject albino chicks, leaving them vulnerable at a young age.
- Difficulty finding a mate – Their unusual appearance can make it harder to attract a mate among normally pigmented birds.
- Vision problems – Albino birds’ eyesight is impaired, especially in bright sunlight, hampering their ability to find food and avoid dangers.
- Sunburn and skin cancers – Lack of protective melanin leaves their skin extremely prone to sun damage and cancer risks.
- Social exclusion – In some cases, albino birds are ostracized or bullied by other members of their species due to their differences.
For these reasons, an albino bird’s chances of survival are drastically reduced in the wild. Those that do survive to adulthood typically have shorter lifespans than normally pigmented birds.
Examples of albino birds
Though rare, albino birds have been documented across diverse species worldwide. Some examples include:
Albino crows
Completely white albino crows are an exceptionally rare sight. With their pink eyes and albinistic plumage, they stand out starkly from a typical crow’s black feathers. Albino crows have been spotted on occasion in various parts of the world, intriguing bird enthusiasts.
Albino hummingbirds
Hummingbirds dazzle with their bright, iridescent plumage. But albino hummingbirds lack these flashy colors entirely. Instead, they have snow white feathers and a washed out appearance. Like other albino birds, they also have vision problems that can make feeding more challenging.
Albino peacocks
Peacocks are renowned for their elaborate blue, green and gold tail feathers that fan out in stunning displays. Albino peacocks, however, have tails covered in all-white feathers. Their bodies are also completely white. The dramatic contrast makes them stand out from ordinarily colored peacocks.
Albino robins
With their bright red breasts, robins are among the most recognizable backyard birds. But the extremely rare albino robin lacks that eye-catching red color entirely. Their pale white and pink plumage helps them blend into snowy environments in winter.
Albino ostriches
Ostriches are the largest living bird species, making albinistic ostriches even more striking. Lacking melanin, albino ostriches appear bright white with pinkish eyes. They are rarely spotted n the ostriches’ native African habitat.
Albino parrots
Parrots’ rainbow-hued plumage makes them stand out in tropical jungles. But albino parrots lack the yellows, greens and reds typical of their kind, with all-white feathers instead. Albino mutations occur in parrot species like cockatoos, macaws, Amazon parrots and budgerigars.
Famous albino birds
Though rare, some individual albino birds have gained fame for their unique snow-white appearance:
Snowdrop the albino peacock
At Paignton Zoo in England, an albino peacock named Snowdrop became a popular resident. Keepers suspect she was likely rejected by her parents as a chick before being found and brought to the zoo.
Pearl the albino alligator
Pearl is an extremely rare albino alligator living at Gatorland in Florida. Lacking pigment, Pearl has creamy white skin and pink eyes. She was discovered completely albino as a hatchling.
Pink the albino bottlenose dolphin
While bottlenose dolphins are typically grey, an albino dolphin nicknamed Pink was first spotted off the coast of Louisiana in 2007. Her pink coloration and red eyes quickly made her famous.
Migaloo the albino humpback whale
Migaloo is a rare albino humpback whale that migrates along Australia’s east coast. With his all-white skin lacking melanin, Migaloo has become a sensation among whale watchers.
Snowflake the albino gorilla
Snowflake was a male albino western lowland gorilla born in the wild in Equatorial Guinea. He was the only known albino gorilla in the world at the time he was captured in 1966.
Spotting albino birds
To spot an albino bird in the wild, keep an eye out for these key characteristics:
- Entirely white or very pale pink plumage
- Pink eyes
- Impaired vision or timid behavior
- Rejected by other members of its species
- Sensitive to sunlight
An albino bird may also appear smaller or weaker than others of its kind. Pay attention to species known to exhibit albinism on occasion, like crows, swallows or robins. With luck, you may glimpse one of these rare albino anomalies.
Caring for an albino bird
If you have an albino bird, some special care is required:
- House it in a shaded area away from direct sun
- Provide UV-blocking covers or screened housing
- Offer extra nutritional supplements
- Give it access to fresh water at all times
- Monitor its skin and eyes for any damage or irritation
With extra protection from the sun and a well-rounded diet, an albino bird can live a long and healthy life in captivity, despite their disadvantages in the wild.
Key Facts About Albino Birds
Here are some key facts to remember about albino birds:
- Result from a genetic mutation that prevents melanin pigment production
- Extremely rare, occurring in about 1 in 1,800 birds
- Have white or pinkish plumage, skin, and eyes
- Often rejected by parents and potential mates
- Prone to vision problems and sunlight sensitivity
- Lifespan is reduced compared to normally pigmented birds
- Spotted in the wild only very infrequently
- Require special care and protection when in captivity
Conclusion
Albino birds provide a unique glimpse at how pigmentation determines avian appearances. While their all-white feathers are beautiful in an unusual way, they also leave these birds vulnerable in many regards. Still, albino birds continue to fascinate observers when they make occasional appearances in the wild. With careful protection from the sun and predators, they can live healthy lives despite their lack of coloring. So keep an eye out for these stark, ghostly figures among the birds in your area.