Leucism is the partial loss of all types of pigmentation. Leucism causes white coloration, white spots, splotches, spots, or patches on the skin or fur (or feathers). It’s really not all that unbelievable in nature. There’s even been a leucistic cat or two whose been seen lurking in my house. We call him Carl. Can you tell which is Carl? Carl wakes me up in the morning.

A true albino has no pigmentation at all. Anywhere – including white eyes. You can tell the difference between albinism and leucisim in that leucism does not affect the pigment cells in the eyes. My eyes boggled when they beheld just that on a chachalaca. On a chachalaca! (see the image below). I was on duty Saturday at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park and no sooner did I arrive that I saw the legendary leucistic chachalaca.

Look closely at the photograph above. The leucistic chachalaca is at left and is easily distinguishable from other birds in the flock. I also saw this bird to be isolated from other chachalacas. Several other chachalacas acted aggressively towards their stylistic brother (or sister). Just for being different. I’m sure glad that we humans don’t behave in the same manner. Hmmm