Partial albinism I think

Guest · Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:11 pm

I don't remember seeing this fellow last year as an ASY or SY. I assume he has some sort of partial albinism. He's a neat looking little guy. I wonder if this means I'll be hatching some white babies this year?

Guest · Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:01 pm

J Gragg, that is really neat. I wish they all looked like that so it would be easier to identify friend or foe as they fly away. There are probably some experts here that know, but I wonder if by where it (the white patch) is located, it could be a scarred area. On mammals hair coming back in a scarred or damaged area is often white. I would sure like to know that. I hope someone that knows sees it and can say whether it is likely genetic or something else.

Guest · Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:06 pm

I'm guessing genetic. He also has 1 or 2 tail feathers that are bright white as well. He seems to be fighting more than the other males...I'm not sure if he's getting picked on or is doing the bullying himself. They are starting to settle down and start building now. I'll be waiting for that nest to hatch for sure to see if any mutated genes (if that's what it is) get passed on.

Guest · Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:13 pm

J Gragg, I would bet you are right with other feathers scattered around like that. Please post his progress every once in a while. Thanks for the picture and story.

Kyle Gregoire · Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:35 pm

Dear J Gragg, I believe you will not have babies with any white color in them. If you remember ninth grade biology, which was 38 years ago for me, it has something to do with dominant and recesive genes. The genes involved with this bird in all likelyhood will not repeat, and are probably extremely recesive. Unless you have a massive stroke of luck, the odd of repeating are probably the same as the host birds haveing that color to begin with. Im not a geneticist but I believe im on the right track. Good luck anyway and have fun.