how rare is an albino mallard?

[ZEEK1223]

I took my boat out to a local lake, just to run some gas through it. There was a ton of bird activity. I saw a bunch of loons, and this lake is 10 miles from mpls. Then from a distance I saw a drake mallard hanging around this white bird. At first I thought it was a seagull, but when I got closer. I saw that it was a beautiful albino hen mallard. I was with my friend who doesnt hunt or fish, but I assured him this was a one in a lifetime spotting. Was I right to tell him that? I plan on getting some photos, so hopefully she was close to her nest.

[Quackaddict9]

As a waterfowl hunter, I dont know if its rare but I've seen a couple different white mallard/farm duck or whatever it is and I can not recall that they were albino mallards so I cant really help you on that.

[Sartell Angler]

I've seen several myself over the last few years...couple times they were light-colored hens and other times they were just farm ducks. Not as rare as one would think. I doubt I would get one mounted personally but I know there are others who have.

[HUNTFISH69]

There was a couple that were hanging around the STC area last year, but they left before the season opened. I've never seen one while hunting waterfowl though.

[SSSTaxidermy]

 Originally Posted By: Sartell Angler

I've seen several myself over the last few years...couple times they were light-colored hens and other times they were just farm ducks. Not as rare as one would think. I doubt I would get one mounted personally but I know there are others who have.

SA,

What if it was banded?

[muc33]

Before ice out in Worthington, we had an albino canadian goose on our open water at the areator hole. Pink and white, pretty cool.

[riverrat56]

I'd say a true albino is vey rare, just like an albino anything.

Now cross breeds or "color phases" maybe not so rare, but still not an eveyday occurance. If I were to shoot an odd duck, I would really consider getting it mounted, just for the fact that it could be a good story to tell later, a conversation peice of sorts.

[SSSTaxidermy]

I’m sorry for the stupid questions here…Also sorry for my lack of knowledge…But are there albino species in everything???… When speaking of albino waterfowl, is it so rare that most ppl don’t realize or ever hear about it?. Like for example... Albino Pintails, They are a bird that has definite characteristics beyond color identification. How does your common hunter make the distinguish between a wild albino and cross breed if possible.

[Scott M]

There aren't species distinguished solely by being albino as a condition of differentiation, but there is inherited albinism in species. It's a rare recessive set of alleles. In examples like albino lab rats or rabbits, it has been selectively breed for and controlled. In the wild, albinism is very rare, like 1:XX thousand.

Wikipedia says: Most forms of albinism are the result of the biological inheritance of genetically recessive alleles (genes) passed from both parents of an individual, though some rare forms are inherited from only one parent. There are other genetic mutations which are proven to be associated with albinism.

As far as your question about distinguishing wild albinos and cross breeds, that might take a genetic profile. I didn't know pintails were bred in captivity for albinism, but I know I've seen some wild mallards and teal that have at least slight albinism.

This would be a great question to send off to the research director at Delta Waterfowl. I'm sure they could send a reliable answer.

[gonefishin11]

I saw a talk show (Maury, Sally... something like that) with a black couple that had 4 white looking kids. They had very light hair, pinkish eyes and all that. The show tested DNA to prove they came from those parents.

Now I understand the lack of credibility of these talk shows but it sure seemed real to me. Anyone else heard of albino humans?

[Roosterslayer05]

Ha yes there are albino humans. I had an albino girl at my middle school. Have you ever heard of Brother Ali? Famous Hip-Hop artist from minneapolis, he is albino.

[JayinMN]

White mallards are pretty popular in captivity. I know of one person in the minneapolis area that has a rather large flock and I am sure there is probably more then one. Its more likely this bird is an escaped captive then a truely wild bird. I also doubt it is a true albino, more likely it is just a "white" duck. Ducks have a recessive gene that masks all the color in their feathers, there are also a few other genes that can cause patterns of white on ducks, like white bibbing. Many other birds have the same genes except in some its a dominant trait instead of recessive.

[Sartell Angler]

a true albino of any species would get some consideration from me, but I wouldn't mount a white duck that was likely just a farm duck

nothing against people who do...I think I'd rather just mount a nice pintail or greater scaup or something

[winter_grizz]

Albino birds are seldomly seen or shot but it is more commen for a bird to be albino than a mammal. so if i shot a deer or something like that then i would mount it but i guess its all about what you think.