Once-In-A-Lifetime Rare White Cardinal Spotted In Backyard

Scott Davis, of Gallatin, Tenessee has just had a once in a lifetime encounter with a rare white cardinal, right in his backyard. The lifelong birdwatcher was surprised to see a nearly all-white cardinal, with only very light red feathers on its body, eating food in the 67-year-old retiree’s backyard.

Albino and Leucistic Cardinals: Occasionally cardinals will lack melanin pigments in their feathers, which results in white or light-colored feathers. The carotenoid pigments are still present, giving her a lovely light pinkish color. Birds that don't have melanin pigments in their feathers may either be albino or leucistic.