What is Leucism?

About Leucism:

• It is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring.
• It is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
• In birds, leucism affects only the bird’s feathers, this means they do not have the normal, classic plumage colors.
  • They may have white patches where the bird should not have any, or their overall plumage may look pale or bleached out.

Albinism vs. Leucism:

• Albinism is a rare genetic mutation with a complete absence of (or very little) melanin production.
  • Melanin is a natural pigment in the skin, hair, eyes, and even brain tissue.
  • The type and amount of melanin in animals determine the colour of the skin, hair, and eyes.
• With the lack of melanin production, albinos have white or pinkish coloured skin and red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through from behind the eyes.
• With leucism, there is only a partial loss of melanin production and/or distribution.
  • The animal can have white or patchy coloured skin, hair, and/or feathers. The pigment cells in the eyes, legs, and bills of birds, however, are not affected.