When you think about peacocks, an image of a gorgeous, blue and green bird comes to mind. But there are many breeds, and one of them is the albino peacock. Join us as we talk about this underrated peacock and how it came to be.
Albino peacocks: In nature, most animals are disposed to a rare gene that causes albinism, and peacocks are no exception. The result of albinism is the body’s inability to produce color in the skin, hair, and eyes. For peacocks, this means their gorgeous plumage is all white and their eyes have a distinct red color to them. Albino peacocks are extremely rare. While they exist in nature and sometimes in captivity, it is hard to find them and even harder to purchase them. Similar to albino peacocks are white peacocks, they suffer from a genetic condition called Leucism, which results in a lack of coloring on their skin and plumage, although their eye color is not affected. While rarer than other breeds of peacocks, you can typically find at least one white peacock in a zoo or in a captive area. You can purchase white peacocks for around $300 but it is almost impossible to purchase an albino peacock. If you ever come across a peacock that is white in color, be sure to check its eye color. If it is a natural brown, it is a white peacock while if it is red, it is an albino peacock.
What is Albino Peacock?
There are many cases of animals having an albino gene, just as there are with humans. Peacocks are no exception, and albino peacocks certainly exist.
Albino peacocks suffer from a genetic mutation that causes a lack of melanin, or pigmentation, in their feathers and skin. It also affects their eyes, and as a result, they have a bright red color to them.
Albino peacocks are very rare. They are hard to find but the genetic mutation is passed on from parents so peacocks born to albino peacock parents are more likely to have the same condition.
Is Albino Peacock the same as White Peacock?
After reading so far, you may think, surely they can’t be that rare, as I’ve seen plenty of albino peacocks. In actual fact, you’ve probably just seen white peacocks.
While rare in their own right, they are definitely not as rare as albino peacocks. White peacocks get their color from a genetic condition called Leucism.
This condition causes the partial loss of color pigmentation in peacocks, and can also affect other animals.
With Leucism, the result is peacocks that have white feathers and skins. Sometimes white peacocks are all-white while other times on patches of their body are white and the other parts are the traditional bold colors.
Regular peacocks are actually born with a yellow color and then develop their bold colors as they age. With white peacocks, Leucism affects this development and they turn from yellow to white.
If you see peacocks with patches of white on them, they are actually called Pied peacocks. Their coloration is a result of partial Leucism.
Pied peacocks can have small patches of white or long strips of white over most of their body. These are rated than full white peacocks and so not often seen.
How rare is an albino peacock?
In a word? Incredibly rare. There are no real statistics on how rare an albino peacock is, as it is hard to tell with the wild population.
However, while they definitely exist, albino peacocks are extremely rare. If you see a white peacock and aren’t sure if it is an albino variety, check the eyes.
Red eyes are a sure sign it is an albino peacock, while brown eyes mean it is a white peacock. Apart from that, white peacocks and albino peacocks look virtually the same.
Where can you find albino peacocks?
You can find albino peacocks in both the wild and in captivity. Because albino peacocks are their color because of a genetic anomaly, it can be hard to find and them.
Going back to basic genetics, the albinism gene is a recessive gene. This means both parents need to carry the gene for their offspring to have the same affliction.
You can have naturally colorful peacocks that give birth to albino peacocks so it is not always known when these birds will come along. However, if you have two albino peacocks, there is a good chance their offspring will be albino peacocks, too.
More zoos carry albino peacocks, in order to protect the species, but because they are so rare, you might never come across one. There are some organizations that try to breed them in captivity, so this is a better option to see these rare birds.
Remember, too, that most white peacocks you see are not albino peacocks, despite their similar appearance.
How much do albino peacocks cost?
Honestly, we’re not sure if albino peacocks can even be found for purchase. They are incredibly rare and if you did find one for sale, just know it will be extremely costly.
If you love the idea of having an albino peacock, the more practical option would be to purchase a white peacock, instead. While still expensive, costing upwards of $300, they are more readily available.
If you are able to find an albino peacock for sale, be sure to enquire about their age. Peacocks live between 10 and 25 years.
You want to be able to enjoy the sight of your peacock and the younger, the better. Albino peacocks may have more health issues than regular peacocks, so this is another factor to consider.
Conclusion
Albino peacocks are born without the ability to produce melanin, which creates their white feathers and skin, along with their red eyes. White peacocks, on the other hand, have a genetic condition called Leucism, which leads to a lack of pigmentation, although their eyes are normal color. While white peacocks are rare, albino peacocks are even rarer and incredibly hard to find.
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