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Birding/Albino Mourning Dove

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Expert: Julia Booth - 7/28/2008


Question

Albino Dove
We have had an what we believe to be an Albino Mourning Dove at Rideau Acres Campground in Kingston Ontario. It has been here since early April. It has been at our feeder frequently, and is in the company of other Mourning Doves. It is identical in every respect including body marking except of course that it is white. Is this rare or unusual, and can you tell me anything about such an occurrence?

Answer
It's a genetic mutation in which there is no pigment in the skin. For birds, this lack of pigment extends to the color of their feathers as well -just like how it does in hair with humans.

There are albino peacocks, squirrels, dolphins, and hundreds of other animals as well. DNA is a sequence of molecules that determines the blueprint for an organism. Everyone once in a while, there is a flaw in the sequence and it causes this.

Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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