albino and normally colored american crows stand next to each other. albino crows rarely make it to adulthood; they are often ostracized by their peers, more visible to predators, and have weaker eyesight and feathers due to lack of melanin.

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a rare albino turkey vulture. turkey vultures are normally a deep brown color. albinism can be deadly for birds – melanin is part of their feather structure, and albino animals lack melanin, which can mean weak feathers. albino birds are also often targets for predators and may be rejected by others of their species.

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a rare albino black vulture that was spotted in texas. albino birds rarely make it to adulthood, due to being easy targets for predators. since black vultures mainly feed off of carrion, it’s life is likely easier than that of an albino bird that hunts for its food, as it isn’t blatantly visible to its prey.

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these albino crow fledglings were spotted in canada. while small white patches on crows are somewhat common, true albinism is rare. it’s rarer still that the birds make it to adulthood – their plumage puts them at a risk for predation, and gives them a likelihood of becoming outcasts in the flock.

source: (x)

this is an albino peregrine falcon chick. four of these rare chicks were stolen from their nest under the premise of selling them to falconry enthusiasts; this chick was the only one to survive. the chick was placed in a preexisting falcon nest, and was accepted by the mother falcon.

source: (x)

side-by-side comparisons of an albino house sparrow and a melanistic house sparrow. albinism results from a lack of the pigment melanin, and melanism results from an overproduction of that pigment.

sources: (x), (x)

house sparrow color mutations

1. house sparrow with regular coloration

2. pied house sparrow (partial leucism)

3. “blonde” house sparrow (leucistic)

4. albino house sparrow

5. melanistic house sparrow

these unusually pale eastern bluebird siblings have leucism, a genetic mutation that causes a reduced production of pigmentation.

source: (x)

this leucistic canada goose was spotted in ontario, canada. leucistic animals are not fully albino, but still lack pigment and appear lighter than normal.

source: (x)

this melanistic black-capped chickadee was seen at a feeder in maine. melanism is the opposite of albinism – too much pigmentation is produced rather than too little.

source: (x)