About Leucism
Leucism is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin. [1]
Leucistic Owls
Leucistic Barking Owl Ninox connivens with its normal sibling. Townsville, Queensland, Australia © Ian Boyd.
It is possible that this is the same individual as the photo below. This photo was taken a couple of years before, and about 14km away from the one below.
A Leucistic juvenile Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus at the nest with its normal siblings. Richland, Washington, USA.
© Dan Bowton
[1] Leucism article at Wikipedia.
