"For some reason, albinism and partial albinism have been recorded in robins more than any other wild bird species. One study found that 8.22% of all albino wild birds found in North America were robins. But only about one robin in 30,000 is an albino or partial albino. Most records of robins with albinism are only partial albinos, which of course live longer than total albinos. All white birds (albinos) have a complete loss of pigment, but they are very noticeable to predators so don't last long in the wild. Albinism is caused by a genetic defect carried in both the parents.

Leucistic means that it has unusual pale plumage, resulting from the cells that produce melanin being few in number or not functioning properly. The robin photographed above is not leucistic but rather partial albino.

Leucism is also known as ‘imperfect albinism’ and is one of three types of albinism. The other types of albinism are total albinism (when the eyes are red and other bare parts are pink) and partial albinism (when the bird is mottled or only white in certain areas). Leucistic birds are thus not albinos, because their eyelids and feet do not feature the albinistic traits."


I photographed an albino Robin at the Ottawa Wildbird Care Centre a couple years ago. See this image: http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/29884329

- Quotes are from websites discussing albino and leucistic birds.