What’s This Post About?
Ostrich is the largest and the heaviest bird alive. Male ostriches have a black body with white plumes, whereas females have a brown plumage covering their bodies. Both male and female ostriches have powerful thighs, will small heads, and wide beaks.
But have you ever seen a white ostrich? Are those even real? Well, to answer your curiosities, they are real, and they have been spotted several times in the wild. These ostriches have white plumes covering their whole body. They’re rare and amazing to spot.
Albino Ostriches have a white plumage covering their entire bodies, lacking coloration. This is caused by a genetic mutation called albinism. This causes an absence of melanin, which gives the feathers, skin, and beak their colors. Due to this, the white ostriches typically suffer from weakness and enfeeblement.
All About Albino Peacocks
If you are intrigued by the appearance of a white ostrich and are curious to know more about them, we have compiled some interesting, commonly asked FAQs about these speedy birds because not everyone is fortunate enough to come across a white peacock.
What’s The Difference Between an Albino Ostrich and A Regular Ostrich?
An albino ostrich is white in color, whereas regular ostriches have darker-colored bodies with white plumes. Their bodies are entirely different, and when an albino ostrich is standing next to a regular ostrich, you can easily tell them apart.
The main difference aside, you can also differentiate between the two by comparing what their beaks look like. Regular ostriches have a darker beak, whereas albino ostriches have a lighter beak. White ostriches also have weaker feathers compared to regular ostriches.
fun fact
White ostriches are generally weak and smaller than regular ostriches.
What Do Albino Ostriches Look Like?
Typically, ostriches either have black or brown plumage covering their entire bodies, but it is not the same in an Albino ostriches’ case.
Albino Ostriches stand tall and broad like regular ostriches, except there is one significant difference between the two—albino ostriches have a white plumage covering their entire body with light beaks and lighter feathers.
They have an inherited recessive gene from their parents, which stops producing a pigment called melanin which is responsible for their black and brown plumage. When this pigment is suppressed, it results in the absence of color in a bird.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ostriches can grow 2.7 tall in height.
Are White Ostriches Rare?
Yes, white ostriches are rare because they have a recessive gene that is solely responsible for giving albino ostriches their white feathers. However, this genetic deviation is not as common as you think it may be.
They’re rare and difficult to spot in the wild since their survival is affected by how lightly pigmented their feathers are, providing them with little to no protection against predators, especially during nighttime.
Are White Ostriches Blind?
White ostriches are not blind. They are half albino, which is why they have color in their eyes and some part of their beaks. They can see fairly well and can rely on their vision to look for food or walk across a field of land.
Blindness only occurs in fully albino birds, which hasn’t been spotted in ostriches yet. The nearest thing to the albino ostrich is a white ostrich; they’re both somewhat similar to one another in the sense that they’re weak and smaller in size compared to regular ostriches.
Do White Ostriches Have White Babies?
Although white ostriches are rare, they can find a mate and have healthy babies. But one thing that one must take notice of is how rarely they can breed with other ostriches.
If both the ostriches in a pair are white, they will not necessarily have white babies. White ostrich babies are born because of a recessive gene that may or may not be inherited by a pair of white ostriches’ offspring.
Since white ostriches are weaker and smaller, they’re not seen as fit mates during the mating season because of their size, which is why regular ostriches often breed with one another, leaving these poor creatures out.
Where Do You Find White Ostriches?
Regular ostriches live in parts of Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa; they predominantly live in the region of Africa and prefer dry, hot woodlands and fields of Africa living among the wild along with zebras and lions.
Just like regular ostriches, white ostriches can also be found in the aforementioned areas of different regions. However, they prefer drier areas that provide them with enough camouflage to hide away since their striking white plumage makes them an easy target for predators.
white-ostrich-close-up
What Do Albino Ostriches Eat?
All ostriches have the same diet and appetite, so a white ostrich’s diet is no different from a normal ostriches’ diet.
They prefer eating roots, plants, seeds, fruits, and other plant-based foods. They also like to munch on lizards, insects, and other smaller beings that they can get their hands on.
If you want to feed an ostrich on a nearby farm or own yourself, consider purchasing the Dodson & Horrell Ostrich Feed , which is the perfect mix to feed your ostrich.
An easy-to-consume, palatable pellet for ease of feeding and to reduce wastage.
FUN FACT
Ostriches have three stomachs.
What Makes an Albino Ostrich Unique?
White ostriches are a sight to behold. They often bewitch people who spot them; they’re fluffy, adorable, white, and smaller than regular ones. They’re a treat to come across, especially when you’re in the wild.
Albino ostrich’s white plumage, bleached out beak, and unreal-looking face are what make them so unique from other ostriches.
FUN FACT
Male ostriches perform a mating dance to impress female ostriches.
Does Albinism Affect a White Ostrich’s Survival?
Since ostriches prefer living in dry woodlands and dwell among other predatory animals like lions, their plumage gives them an excellent camouflage against other lurking threats, especially during the night. Ostriches lay flat on the ground as a defense against predators, so they don’t sight them.
This helps them blend with the landscape and looks as though they’re a part of whatever field they’re on, appearing as bushes. This is not possible for white ostrich because they lack the pigment needed to make them appear darker during the night.
This is one of the consequences of being born albino. White ostriches are already very weak and small, but they also fall victim to potential predators very easily.
Why Are Albino Ostriches Not Common?
Albino ostriches are fairly uncommon and very rare. This is so because white ostriches result from a recessive gene passed down to their offspring by one of the parents. The recessive gene results in a mutation that hinders pigment deposition in ostriches and thus makes them appear white.
They’re also uncommon because they’re easily preyed upon, unlike regular ostriches with colored feathers to provide them with the right camouflage.
What Do Albino Baby Ostriches Look Like?
Albino baby ostriches are no different from regular baby ostriches. After hatching, they grow out a rather pale plumage. You can tell albino ostrich babies. When they grow older, white feathers start to cover up their entire body.
Keep Reading!
White ostriches, with their fluffy white feathers, long, beautiful legs, and pale beaks, are a treat to look at, but they’re not that easy to come across.
The post above highlights some of the most frequently asked questions about albino ostriches. And unlike many other ostrich species present in the wild, white ostriches sure are a rare sight, but because of albinism, their survivability suffers.
Ostriches are among the most fascinating birds found in the wild that never cease to amaze and delight us. Similarly, there are other birds out there that are just as rare and beautiful as a white ostrich; if you want to know more about albino bird species, then read this post to learn about albino crows .
Are you wondering about what Albino Crows are and how do they look? Read this blog to find out about them.
By
David A. Swanson
Bird Watching USA
My name is David and I'm the the founder of Bird Watching USA! I started Bird Watching with My father-in-law many years ago, and I've become an addict to watching these beautiful creatures. I've learnt so much over about bird watching over the years that I want to share with the world everything I know about them!
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