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Black-capped Chickadee leucism


Black-capped Chickadee leucism
Photo Information
Copyright: Donald Lapointe (hibou) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 217 W: 1 N: 331] (1629)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D100, Sigma 50-500 F/4-6.3 EX HSM
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Albinism and leucism [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-03 9:38
Viewed: 6779
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Albinism is passed genetically from parents to offspring. Each cell contains numerous pairs of genes, one from each parent. These genes transmit traits through generations. An albino offspring results from a specific combination of genes.
Albinos are infrequent because the genes for that trait are recessive, while the genes for normal pigmentation are dominant. If both are present, normal pigmentation occurs. If only recessive genes occur, albinism may result. Only a small percentage of animals carry the recessive gene, so the chance of the pairing of recessive genes in an individual animal is slight.
At least 300 species of animals in North America have albino individuals. The degree of albinism varies among animal groups. Some researchers working with mammals estimate that true albinos occur in about one in 10,000 births. Some of our Conservation Department hatcheries have seen albino catfish produced as frequently as one in 20,000 fish. Yet some researchers working with birds found that albinism occurs in 17 of 30,000 individuals, or one of 1,764 birds.
Although it seems logical that albinos would have a survival disadvantage, some studies suggest that albino animals may not be as conspicuous to other predators as they are to us.
Predators such as hawks, for example, may rely on a search image for prey that primarily involves shape and movement. The color of the prey may make little difference, as long as the prey looks and acts like a food item.
A lack of pigmentation can, however, affect the vision of albino animals, making it hard for them to find food and avoid danger.
All About Albinism
by John D. Miller
http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2005/06/10.htm
Silvio2006, ellis49, Raptorman, vhemmati, oanaotilia has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Peter, lovely bird with splendid albinism, great details and pose, interesting photo, very well done, have a nice week end, ciao Silvio

Hi Peter.
it's a nice picture of an unusual chickadee.
It's maybe slightly OE but thats a minor nit.
Well seen against the blue sky.
Well done.

Hello , very rare event , good photo.

Hi Donald,

A very good catch, interesting for me to see my favorite bird in Albino form. Needs a bit more sharpness but I know what a hard catch it was.

TFS

Toujuors aussi belle avec ce beau ciel bleu derrière.
Bravo
Marie

Salut Donald,
C'est encore ta petite copine. C'est vraiment étrange de voir cet oiseau de cette couleur. La composition et la prise de vue sont superbes. Elle doit être bien difficle à calibrer avec cette couleur... Merci pour cette photo inusitée,
Claudine

Rare and brilliant shot.

To be accurate this is leucism and not albinism. The 2 phenomenons are different in nature. Not that a albino always have red eyes (sensitive to sun light).
Partial albinism cannot exist. Partially white animals are called leucistic. Other gene mutation and biological process are involved.

TFS
JM

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