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DENVER ZOO WELCOMES RARE ALBINO DUCKLING

Denver Zoo recently welcomed a rare and pigment-less sight to its family. A female albino mandarin duckling was hatched on May 30.

Normal adult Mandarins are among the most colorful duck species. They have red bills, red whisker-like stripes running down their necks, and two vertical white stripes near their breast. While most of the newborn ducklings from the clutch are currently brown and developing stripes, the albino duckling has pink eyes and bright yellow feathers, features that won’t change much as it matures. Albinism is an inherited trait characterized by partial or total lack of pigmentation.

Mandarin ducks are closely related to the North American wood duck commonly found in local ponds and streams. They can grow to about 20 inches long with 30 inch wingspans. Mandarins are found across East Asia. While they are relatively abundant in the wild, albinos are very rare.

Zoo experts say birds with albinism don’t tend to thrive in nature because they don’t camouflage well with their environment making them more vulnerable to predators. They are also more prone to eye ailments due to the sun’s exposure to their extra sensitive eyes. Bird keepers will take every precaution to make sure to keep their new albino duckling covered and protected from the sun.

For more information about zoo hours and admission please visit: http://www.denverzoo.org/visitors/index.asp.