This bird looks like it is hypomelanistic (sometimes just referred to
âhypoâ by breeders). This is when an organism displays evenly distributed
melanin, as a typical individual would, but in smaller doses, appearing
much, much paler. Itâs a common gene in the animal husbandry hobby (in
cases of line-breeding), though it rarely occurs in nature. Some species
can express this trait and be only a shade or two lighter than their normal
counterparts, and some species can appear almost white. This is not to be
confused with *hypomelanosis*, which is a skin disorder that cause pale
spots on the skin. Pretty cool to see this trait expressed in a wild bird!--
Ty Smith
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