Well, if you're having white juncos and normal fox sparrows in
Washington, I guess it's only fair that we're having normal juncos and
white fox sparrows in BC.

At least three complete albinos were seen on the Vancouver Xmas Count, two
in Stanley Park and on in Everett Crowley Park (in southeastern Vancouver;
I assume most of you know Stanley Park as the big green blob somewhere
downtown). The one I saw in Everett Crowley was completely white, except
for the tail and some streakings on the wing.

What I am wondering is how a bird like this survives. It stuck out like a
sore thumb. As soon as I started spishing, it responded loudly, coming
right out of the brambles. With a reaction like that, it should have been
a Sharpie's lunch long ago, if my understanding of natural selection is
not too off. Does anyone have any data on the survivorship of albinos?

Also, is there any research on why some species are more prone to albinism
than others. Is it just chance genetic makeup, or does natural selection
really favour albinism in some species over others?

Perhaps it's just the effects of the new California legislation being felt
up north.

Kyle Elliott
Delta BC
khelliot at unixg.ubc.ca