Update on Snowy

We have become quite used to seeing this white Australian Magpie around, taking its place in Magpie society with some more conventional Magpie friends. In my blog in March I speculated as to why Snowy was so coloured. Some darker features, especially the eye, indicated that Snowy was leutistic rather than albino. Albinos are pure white (or pink) due to the total absence of melanin colouring.

Snowy photographed back in March.

Today we have the answer; over the subsequent six months Snowy has gradually developed more dark features indicating Snowy’s whiteness was caused by poor expression of melanin rather than its absence. Snowy is leutistic.

A more mottled Snowy, photographed this week.

Leucistic or Albino?

Snowy the white Australian Magpie has taken up residence at Washerwomans beach on the beautiful New South Wales South Coast. Unusual whiteness in birds such as Snowy can occur because of two different causes: leucism and albinism.

Leucism is a genetic mutation that prevents the pigment melanin from being properly deposited on a bird’s feathers. Albinism affects all pigments and albino birds show no color whatsoever in their feathers, skin or eyes. Snowy has very pale legs and bill but dark eyes and some small dark marks. Leucistic or albino?