Leucistic Cardinal

[ngc1514]

Learned on another forum that this condition is called leucism - reduced pigment in the skin and/or feathers of animals. This cardinal has been hanging around the backyard for the last few days.

[OldClicker]

Interesting - thanks. - Terry

[CaraRose]

Any idea if it's a male or a female? The rest of the coloration looks like a female, but that could just be it's condition washing out the rest of the color...

[ngc1514]

The wife says it's a female and she's the birder in the family. I'll go with her vote.

[Eric D]

Interesting look! I photographed a Leucistic Warbler last year but the white color was through out his body not just the head.

TFS....cool shot!

[paulnj]

Hey Eric , did you post that warbler? I would love to see it.

That cardinal is so cool. You are correct in it being a female and leucism is a simple recessive in most cases so her offspring are carrying the gene mostlikely