Albinism in birds occurs, but is extremely rare. Only one in every 1,800 birds are born albino. An albino bird typically has white feathers and a few colored ones on various parts of the body. Four albinism forms in birds are known; the most common is called “partial albinism” wherein the bird’s body lack pigment melanin. “Imperfect albinism” can bee seen in the eyes, feathers or skin, but can sometimes be absent from these parts. In “incomplete albinism”, pigment melanin is totally absent from the eyes, skin or feathers, but not on all three. In “complete albinism”, which is the rarest form in birds, the birds lack melanin on all its feathers, skin and eyes.

Aside from albinism, the white color in birds’ feathers may also be caused by injury, disease, dietary deficiency, circulatory problems, shock and aging.