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.

A true albino cannot produce melanin at all, so the skin will be unpigmented as well as the feathers. The eyes also have no pigment and will appear red. True albinos don't last long in the wild because they don't see as well. Melanin pigments play a part in vision, and in protecting eyes from UV light. A true albino Northern Cardinal will still often have reddish feathers, where carotenoid pigments would usually be deposited, but very rarely there'll be an all white cardinal.