did I see an albino turkey??? (no pics in a car)

[allan f]

I was driving to work today and saw two turkeys by the side of the road one normal and the other a really light blonde where the black should be and white patches everywhere. The head was white too.

I was driving and couldn't get a picture.....was this an albino??  Can birds have albino genes?

Allan

[longbow55]

Unless you been smoking that funny stuff, yep it's probally an albino,or as a black guy who use to haul logs with me called them, Alabama turkeys. Have a bunch here in MS.

[Otto]

I have a friend who has captured several all white (albino?) turkeys on his trail cam.

[SELFBOW19953]

Allan,

Did your bird look anything like this one?

 


If so, a wildlife biologist friend told me it's what's known as a smoke gray mutant.  It's mostly seen in hens.  The second photo shows her feathers edged in black.

To answer your question, yes, birds can carry the albino gene.  My grandfater shot a white crow in Canada in the late 40's or early 50's (not albino because no pink eyes).  I have photos of a mostly white kingbird and a canada goose with a white body, but a black neck and head. I have also seen mostly white starlings and grackles.

[allan f]

Well there you go thats what I saw she was a little lighter then in the pics but same idea......makes me wonder how many albino robins I have seen thinking they were doves   :D
Allan

[Weekend Warrior]

Look like these?
I got these 2 on my video camera and saved to a pic.  

[NY Yankee]

Isn't it just called an "all-white gene"? Like the all white deer here in NY? They are pure white with normal dark eyes, not pink. My uncle grew domestic turkeys that were white as snow. They were 30-50 pounds at butcher time.

[Oliverstacy]

Did it look like this beautiful lady???

She is considered a gray phase bird from what I understand.

 

Josh

[Jodie Mcnew]

Could be a domestic turkey escaped and supplied the gene.

[Fritz]

My little guy and I saw one just like Josh's last year.  First I've seen in LA in 14 yrs. of chasing turkeys.  Pretty bird.

[George D. Stout]

That's what I thought....perhaps a tame one on the lamb.