David Wright wrote:

> Do these wild "partial albinos" (leucistics?) tend to appear
> at times of the year when the species in question are known
> to be molting?
>

Isn't leucistism (?) the lack of pigment in a feather, which makes it look
transparent - Dennis ??


The genetics train of thought is very intriguing.

Serge wrote:

> The "wild" populations of Rock Doves I know in Brittany live
> in coastal cliffs, and partial albinos are quite scarce there
> (a few percent).
>

In northern Scotland (Caithness, Orkney, Shetland) there are substantial
populations of "pure-bred" Rock Doves, ie birds which best resemble their
Mediterranean brothers - the birds were introduced to the UK or should I say
Britain by the Romans. They were used as a source of food.

Wick (pop. 7000) where I grew up had some old railway engine sheds and
warehouses which held healthy (not sure if that's the right word ;-))
populations of Rock Doves. All the usual plumage variations could be seen. The
population contained a number of escaped/lost racing pigeons which could have
been contributing to the plumage variation.

Anyway when all these building were redeveloped/knocked down the population
declined/moved out to the coast where the "pure-bred" birds are - living in
caves. This is pure conjecture, but the coastal Rock Doves, although there is
probably a significant influx of mixed plumage birds, seem to maintain their
original plumage characteristics.

Questions:

Are the unusual ones being singled out by Peregrines, no shortage of them
along the Caithness coast ?

Or, is there some environmental/genetic factor which maintains the wild
population's breeding success.

Or, are the plumage genes recessive (?). A "Call of the Wild" type thing.


All the questions are basically the same, but from different perspectives. I
have no real idea, but it seems like a good topic for discussion ;-))


I seem to remember reading somewhere (really specific I know) that albinism
in dark birds was genetically based. As far as the genes were concerned
producing black pigments was just as likely as producing white.

Incidently if you want to see albino humans, go to Glasgow, Scotland. I
distinctly remember seeing between 4 and 7 different people. A factor of
Glasgows industrial past, ie pollution, poor diet, or whatever. I have only
seen 1 albino anywehere else.


Enough ranting for now. See you on Jetty Island, Everett, tomorrow.

Stuart Mackay