ALBINO JUVENILE MALE HUMMINGBIRD
A couple of days ago I received a call from Nancy in Habersham County. She contacted me to report that she spotted an albino hummingbird at one of her feeders on July 18. This was the first report of an albino hummingbird that I have received this year.
Albino hummingbirds are among the rarest of the rare birds.
Bird banding records indicate that less than 1/2 of 1 percent of all birds are albinos.
Since I began keeping up the sightings of these beautiful birds more than 25 years ago, I have never received more than a half a dozen reports of them in a single year. All of the birds reported to me were seen during the summer.
A bird does not have to be totally white to be considered an albino. If white feathers are displayed in an area where you would typically see colored feathers, it is an albino.
Biologists recognize four different types of albinism. The rarest form is called total albinism. To be considered a total albino, a bird cannot display any dark coloration on its skin, feathers, bill, legs or feet.
The most common form of albinism is called partial albinism. Partial albino birds have varying amounts of white feathers somewhere on their bodies.
If an albino hummingbird shows up in your backyard this summer, please let me know. There may be more of these rare birds in the Peach State than I realize.
I saw an albino hummingbird today on front porch feeder! So beautiful! I live in Madison Co. Va
Barbara,
Wow! What a great sighting. Not many folks ever see an albino ruby-throated hummingbird. I hope it stays with you for a while. The is the first time I have heard of one being seen this year.
Thanks for sharing your sighting with everyone.
I saw & then photographed an albino hummingbird today in Perrysburg Ohio
Congratulations Mary. Not many folks can say they have seen and photographed an albino hummingbird. I hope the bird stays with you for a long time. Thanks for sharing yout sighting–it is only the second I have heard about this year. The other bird was seen in Virginia.
Terry
This afternoon when I came home from work, there was an albino hummingbird on the deck.It just showed up and seems to have no problem socializing and feeding with the many other hummers here.I was able to get a photo and video. Cascade, VA
Laurie,
You are indeed a lucky individual. This marks only the third albino hummingbird I have heard of this year. I suspect well than one percent of those of us that feed hummingbirds sees one in a given year.
Thanks for your report. I hope it stay with your for quite a while.
Terry