What’s This Post About?
Parrots are already enough fascinating creatures, but there is a lot more to learn about this enticing species. When we hear the word parrot, the color green is the first thing that comes to mind.
In contrast, certain types of parrots are different colored due to their genetics. We will be discussing Albino Parrots in this post, so please read ahead to find out more.
Discolored or completely white parrots do exist. They are known as albino parakeets and budgies. They are white in color and are rarer to locate or sight. They have a lifespan of approximately ten years, although there have been cases recorded where they’ve lived for longer because their owners took extra care of them.
White feathers, red eyes, and pink legs distinguish albino parakeets. The species’ have an INO gene that causes the skin to lose all dark pigmentation, resulting in an all-white bird with no black pigmentation or coloring. As a result, they are entirely white in color rather than the usual green.
ALL ABOUT ALBINO PARROTS
Albino Parrots, or parakeets, are magnificent species. They are rare to find and have a unique appearance and distinct features. Let’s discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about these birds.
If you’re curious to find out what they eat, how long they live, and what causes discoloration in them, along with more enticing questions, continue to read ahead.
What are Albino Parakeets?
The albino parakeet is a tiny bird that belongs to the parrot family. Budgerigars and budgies are other names for them. In nature, parakeets are herbivores that reach a height of 7 to 8 inches and weigh as much as an adult parrot.
In captivity, they may survive for up to ten years and even longer if well-cared for. You may accomplish this by contacting your local veterinarian to get your parakeet’s health checked more than usual.
Albino parakeets are considered intelligent and easily trainable to listen to their owner’s commands. If you pay more attention to them, these birds get happier than usual. Overall, these are friendly birds and are fond of interacting with humans they trust.
Parakeets have different color variations; green, yellow, blue are some of the common ones. A white or albino parakeet is, in comparison, rarer to sight and hence, capture.
Here is a video of a male parakeet or budgie in a cage along with fellow parakeets, blue and green in color.
What Causes Albinism in Parrots?
Albino parrots, although a rare occurrence, do exist. The reason behind this anomaly is the existence of the INO gene, which is present in their bodies. This gene erases the blue and green colored species’ colors, making the bird appear white and blue in each case, respectively.
The INO genetic mutation also causes discoloration in the retinal or eye area of the albino parakeets and budgies.
FUN FACT
White INO's are known as albinos, and yellow INO's are known as lutinos.
What Are an Albino Parrot’s Unique Characteristics?
Albinism, as commonly interpreted, is complete discoloration or loss of color resulting in the body of said species appearing entirely white with either red or pink eyes and pink skin.
In parrots, albinism results in the entirety of the bird’s feather appearing white, along with pink legs and a brown cere (can be pink too), and the eyes being either red or pink.
Albino Parrots result from the presence of a gene commonly known as INO, which causes all pigmentation that is dark to be removed, causing the bird to be wholly white and without any pigmentation whatsoever.
Here’s an Albino Parrot/Budgie’s video comprising different stages, starting from birth till they are four weeks old.
What is the Difference Between Albino and Lutino Parrots?
There is a lot of confusion for humans regarding the difference between albino parrots and lutino parrots. Both of these bird family members comprise the INO gene that is present in their bodies. In reality, there are evident differences between the two birds.
The albino parrot is entirely white, and in comparison, the lutino parrot is entirely yellow. To differentiate between the two, you can use the color of these birds as a variating factor.
The color factor is the easiest way to tell these two birds apart, so if you have a parakeet or budgie around, you can tell its kind by the color they have.
How to Differentiate Between a Male Albino Parrot and a Female Albino Parrot?
Another confusion that commonly exists amongst us humans is about the gender of the Albino Parrot. Although there are differences between the two, it is still difficult for us to differentiate between them.
To make it easier, we will be highlighting the exact difference between them so that it is easier for you to tell them apart the next time you face this confusion.
DID YOU KNOW?
Albino Parrots live for up to ten years, and even more in some instances.
The male Albino Parrot will usually have a blue cere, although in some cases, the cere has been found to be pink in color as well. In contrast, the female Albino Parrot has a brown-colored cere typically.
If you have a lot of parrots in your garden, there’s a chance you’ll come across an Albino Parrot as well. It would be best for you to have a pair of binoculars, such as the Celestron Binoculars , ready to spot and locate these birds.
A great match for everyone from beginners to mid-range outdoors and birding enthusiasts.
What Is The Right Way To Take Care Of An Albino Parrot?
If you come across or purchase an Albino Parrot, you might have questions such as; do they need extra care than usual? Are they more prone to diseases? Well, the answer to both these questions is no.
An Albino Parrot is just like a normal one. Apart from its distinguished color, there aren’t many differences. An Albino Parrot is not more prone to diseases or conditions, nor do they have any skin problems that are usually linked to albino animals. Their vision is also completely normal, so you do not have to worry regarding that either.
Normality does not mean you altogether forego their needs; you should be taking care of them exactly how you would for a typical parrot.
Examples of excellent taking care techniques are:
- Regular cleaning of their cages to ensure maximum hygiene.
- Providing them with food that is of high nutrition, maintaining a healthy diet.
- Providing them with clean and fresh drinking water.
- The cage that you provide them should be of good quality.
- A proper environment in which they can sleep.
- The opportunity to interact with fellow birds.
Are Abino Parrots Blind?
No, they are not blind – their eyes do not get affected due to the genetic disorder that occurs because of the presence of the INO gene in their bodies. Their eyes remain unaffected; the only mutation that takes place is the absence of color in their bodies.
Additionally, when you talk about eye color, Albino Parakeets have normal colored eyes. However, this specific type of parrot kind, known as Albino Personata, has red eyes. The Personata can also see clearly and isn’t blind.
The Albino Parrot’s vision is as crisp as that of a regular parrot. Their vision isn’t blurry or canceled due to this condition. We hope this clears any confusion you might have regarding Albino Parrot’s eyes.
What Do Albino Parrots Eat?
The eating habits of an Albino Parrot do not differ at all from that of a typical Parrot. Fruit, Seeds, Flowers, Nuts, and insects make up the majority of a parrot’s diet. Their favorite food is seeds. These birds have powerful jaws that enable them to crack open nutshells and access the seed within.
You do not have to go out of your way and purchase unique nutritional foods to maintain an Albino Parrot’s diet; just the basics will do.
FUN FACT
A total of 398 species of parrots exist.
Are Albino Parrots Rare?
Albinism in birds is generally rare; only 1 in roughly 1800 birds get affected by this disease. Albino Parrots are rare and unique creatures, but they are still more commonly sighted than other albino animals, such as an Albino Blue Jay.
Humans have captured Albino Parrots, sighted them relatively more than other albino animals, and even sold them at higher prices than usual due to their uniqueness.
DID YOU KNOW?
The oldest parrot known to have lived was an 82-year-old Cockatoo, also known scientifically as Cacatua Leadbeateri.
How Much Does an Albino Parrot Cost?
Due to their uniqueness and them being hard-to-find and capture, albino parakeets are much more costly than other color kinds, and some breeders demand as much as $200-300 dollars for them.
The reason behind this is their appearance – a completely white-feathered bird with pink skin and pink legs, a lovely bird to look at and appreciate.
Keep Reading!
Albino Parrots are indeed unique creatures; they have stunning all-white feathers and pink skin and legs. This anomaly occurs due to the presence of the INO gene in Albino Parrot’s bodies, which results in any coloration being removed. These birds are more expensive than usual parrots due to their rarity and may cost up to $300 from a breeder.
These birds don’t require any extra care than usual, just take care of them in a hygienic manner, provide them with nutritional food, and clean water along with a decent cage to reside in, and you are good to go. Additionally, you do not have to worry about their vision either; Albino Parrots aren’t blind or have blurred vision – they can see as well as any typical Parrot.
If rare birds attract you and you want to know more about them, you should read through this interesting blog about rare albino pigeons which has 14 exciting questions related to them and some captivating images.
Want to know how a Rare Albino looks and what characteristics do they have? Read this post to find out more!
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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