Leucistic Mourning Dove

We have well over a hundred Mourning Doves on our property year round. They nest here from Mid-March through Mid-August. It's easy to find their nests. And, after 11 years here a rare event occurred yesterday while showing guests from Rhode Island around our property. A young Leucistic Mourning Dove (probably just out of its nest). Leucism is a rare condition similar to an albino condition that affects pigmentation. There are many abnormalities that affect coloration in birds (animals too). Sibley likes the idea of calling all of these conditions either "true albino" or "partial albino" which in a general sense is okay, even if not correct.

In any case, I did grab my camera and get a decent photo:

Leucistic Mourning Dove

I'll keep looking now to see if it stays around. Unfortunately, these birds seem to have shorter life spans if for no other reason than the fact that they get picked on by others.

But, no question, these abnormalities are fascinating, beautiful, and fun when you see them.