Albino pheasant (1 Viewer)

[srednap]

Hi Just an enquiry from a novice bird watcher. Is there such a thing as an albino pheasant? I was out walking in Rainford this morning and saw 2 cock pheasants and what appeared to be a white one. See pic

 

[Fritz73]

Hola srednap! A warm welcome to Birdforum from all the staff and moderators

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum.

Rich

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Technically Leucistic (reduced pigment) rather than Albino (no pigment). It would be very interesting to see a closer photograph if you see it again (no offence, the photo is certainly identifiable!) Welcome to the forum.

 

[Farnboro John]

Shooting estates tend to have instructions to shooters to leave them alone as they act as markers for where their pheasants are wandering (e.g. in case a neighbouring estate puts feeders near the border to attract them over) so individuals often persist for some years. Once upon a time there was a regular one by the A149 in North Norfolk, just East of Hunstanton, that I saw on several visits over a few years.

John

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[condor1992]

Hi Just an enquiry from a novice bird watcher. Is there such a thing as an albino pheasant? I was out walking in Rainford this morning and saw 2 cock pheasants and what appeared to be a white one. See pic

There are leucistic pheasants, and albino pheasants. Differences are very subtle, but a pure-white bird with red irises is definitely an albino. Leucistic ones aren't that rare, but albinos are very rare from what I get. I birdwatch a lot, and I have only seen albino pheasants twice, and that was in a single area near Lakenheath both times. Pics below. Might go after specifically them some time, beautiful birds!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[KC Foggin]

Welcome aboard!

 

[StephenHampshire]

A local shoot purposely breeds white pheasants, they have a seperate cage in the rearing pens.