What’s This Post About?
Albino Blue Jays are highly uncommon, but there have been instances where they have been sighted, such as in backyards along with the common Blue Jays. For anyone to witness them is an unusual view. They would look like doves from afar, but their uniqueness stands out if you closely take a look.
Their white color emerges due to a genetic disorder that these unique creatures bore. To spot them, you will have to look harder than usual, and even then, there are chances you will not succeed. We will be sharing pictures ahead to show you exactly what they look like so you have a better idea.
The Albino Blue Jay is almost all white, except for some darker feathers on its belly and wings. It has a purple tinge to its beak and black eyes. They have an abnormal plumage condition that occurs due to a genetic mutation, which results in them losing color in some areas of the body.
ALL ABOUT ALBINO BLUE JAYS
Here are some fascinating FAQs about Albino Blue Jays that will undoubtedly have you intrigued!
We will now be discussing the most frequently asked questions along with sharing some unique facts about these creatures.
What exactly is albinism? Do these birds live a healthy life? Why are they called leucistic? Difference between albinism and Leucism? To have these and more intriguing questions answered, please continue reading.
Are Blue Jays Albino or Leuisistic?
When you hear the word albino, the first image that pops up in your head is an entirely white, pigment-less bird with no color whatsoever. In contrast, when we talk about Albino Blue Jays, they aren’t precisely albino. They are leucistic, meaning some parts are white, but some still have color in them.
What Exactly Is Albinism in Birds?
Albinism is a hereditary disease that causes color loss in the skin, hair, and especially the eyes, which results in blurred vision. Albino birds are more prone to predatory attacks as they are more visually apparent. In addition, they are considered odd and different within their species as well.
What Are Some of The Standout Features of Albino Blue Jays?
It’s a Blue Jay fledgling, as shown in the image above, but it’s not blue at all; it’s off-white. It has black eyes and the usual coloration on its legs and feet. Apart from some darker feathers on its belly and wings, the bird is almost entirely white. Additionally, it has a purple beak - a genuine rarity among birds.
FUN FACT
Albino Blue Jays have a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches and can fly at speeds of 20 to 25 mph. Blue Jays are diurnal birds, which means that they are more active during the daytime.
What are the Consequences of Leuicism in Blue Jays?
As white stands out, they are more susceptible to predators and lack natural defenses. They are more prone to getting attacked and have to be extra aware to survive. Leuicisitc Blue Jays are rarer than other Albino Birds, as they aren’t entirely white; their features and colors make them more apparent.
How Rare are Albino Blue Jays?
Albino or Leuicistic Blue Jays are extremely rare. The chances of you ever seeing one are highly unlikely. Statistically speaking, this genetic disorder only occurs in about 1% of the entire bird population.
There have been rare occurrences where humans have witnessed Albino Blue Jays, but it is still super uncommon.
Here’s a video of a Leucistic Blue Jay that was seen hopping around in a garden in Big Island, Ohio.
DID YOU KNOW?
Only 1% of the birds in the entire world are affected by Leucism. This genetic disorder is highly sporadic.
What Causes Leuicism in Blue Jays?
A missing enzyme in Blue Jays genetics stops color development and affects the melanin of the bird, although the reason varies. It is likely possible that the parent birds had similar dysfunctionalities who then passed it on to their offspring, resulting in the lack of color.
What do the Albino Blue Jays Eat?
Albino Blue Jays have the same eating habits as the common Blue Jays. They are known for eating eggs or nestlings, and this behavior has damaged their image. They are, in reality, primarily omnivore birds.
Acorns, nuts, and seeds make up most of their food, although they also consume caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Where Have Albino Jays Been Spotted?
Although it is a rare sight and occurrence, there have been instances where individuals have been lucky enough to ponder upon and witness these unique beings. Locations where they have been sighted are White Sulphur Springs in New York, near a bird feeder in Canada, and Stuart, Florida.
If you are keen and want to try your luck out, you should purchase a bird spotting scope such as the Gosky Powerful HD Spotting Scope that will aid you in searching for these rare birds.
Gosky Powerful HD Spotting Scope comes packed with Fully multi-coated 60mm green film objective lens, eyepiece, and quality prism.
Can You Spot an Albino Blue Jay in a Flock?
Blue Jays have a crimson, blue color; though they are not blue in reality, they appear blue due to light reflection. The reflection makes their color unique and distinct. Fortunately, if an Albino Blue Jay is in the flock and happens to land in your yard, you will be able to readily recognize the Albino Bird from the rest of the flock owing to its distinct, off-white hue.
Are Albino Blue Jays Blind?
Does albinism affect Blue Jays just how it affects the rest of the birds?
As mentioned earlier, Albino Blue Jays aren’t entirely Albino. They are leucistic, which means that there is some color pigmentation in their body parts, and they aren’t entirely devoid of color. When Blue Jays have this genetic disorder, their eyes aren’t affected, and as a result, their vision is as good as that of a regular Blue Jay.
Do White Blue Jays Exist?
No, entirely white Blue Jays do not exist. Although leucistic Blue Jays have a genetic coloration disorder, they aren’t wholly white – they still have some coloration in their body parts. The birds are off-white, some features being greyish.
So, if you are trying to locate an entirely white Blue Jay, you will not succeed. The reason being, they do not exist.
Do Albino Blue Jays eat Hummingbirds?
Hummingbird eggs and infant hummingbirds are eaten by Albino Chipmunks, Blue Jays, Roadrunners, Crows, and Squirrels as a tasty treat. Hummingbirds otherwise in general have been reported to be caught by hawks for a fast lunch. Lizards, snakes, frogs, and fish have all also been observed to catch and eat a hummingbird that is flying low.
Keep Reading!
Albino Blue Jays, in reality, are leucistic rather than purely albino, implying that pigmentation still exists in their body, resulting in some coloration.
As previously discussed, Leucism is exceedingly uncommon, affecting only 1% of the entire avian population. We’ve gone through some of the most frequently asked questions about the rarity and presence of these birds.
These birds have excellent vision and are more cautious since they are more vulnerable to predatory assaults. In contrast, these birds are highly unusual to spot for humans, but those who have had the opportunity to view one know it is a profoundly extraordinary experience.
More birds have genetic disorders such as Leucism and birds that are entirely albino. If you are interested in knowing and understanding more about Blue Jays’ behavior in general, you should read this interesting post to learn about some unique facts.
Intrigued to learn more about the robustious Blue Jay, whose noisy chattering prevails outside your yard? Read ahead to discover staggering facts!
By
David A. Swanson
Bird Watching USA
My name is David and I'm the the founder of Bird Watching USA! I started Bird Watching with My father-in-law many years ago, and I've become an addict to watching these beautiful creatures. I've learnt so much over about bird watching over the years that I want to share with the world everything I know about them!
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