Tag Category: Albino
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Albino Red-Tail Hawk
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Joy
August 1st, 02:32:12 PM
Great pictures, all of them. It Looks like you were right there only a few feet away from each creature you captured. Amazing seats, amazing camera, or both?
That’s honestly the most beautiful hawk I’ve ever seen, and around here we see a lot. I’m really curious about the coloration, as this resembles the cinnamon or dilute mutation in parrots. I always thought ‘albino’ was a complete absence of pigmentation in the entire animal (skin and fur/feathers included.)
I’m convinced now that I must drag Kellie’s dad to the MN Zoo for the bird show. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos, John!
John
August 3rd, 09:09:50 PM
To answer your questions.
Both? They were great seats. My digital camera is a finicky old thing, but I manage. It’s a great point and shoot, lets put it that way. I usually have 5 times as many pictures as you see here. I figure, at least one will turn out :)
Great question on this albino red-tail hawk. I actually had to take a "genetic refresher." There are varying degrees of albinism, which include partial or complete absence of pigmentation. In this case, those tail feathers still have a hint of that characteristic reddish/brown coloration these guys have.
He is a magnificent bird with a great story. If I remember correctly... They found this guy on the side of the road starving. They gave him supportive care and returned him to the wild. Then several months after sending him back he was found again, starving and emaciated. They concluded that he could not hunt because his prey could see him so well due to his congenital defect. Therefore, he has been taken in as a permanent resident at the Minnesota Zoo and is doing wonderful in captivity.
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