white headed cardinal? (1 Viewer)

[ohio_buck_i]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I thought this would be a good place to get an idea as to whether it is possible that i really had seen a white headed male cardinal. Vacationing in Hilton Head Island last May, while riding the bike trails in Sea Pines Plantation, I saw what appeared to be a male red cardinal with an all white head. The rest of its body had the normal red coloration. It quickly flew away as we approached so I was only able to observe it for a short time. I wonder if this might be a form of albinism or perhaps I had mistaken it's identity, although I certainly have seen many cardinals up close before. Any thoughts?

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello there ohio_buck and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum:t:

You probably did see a partial abino Northern Cardinal. As a chairperson for our local Audubon, the Chamber of Commerce here frequently refers bird related calls to me and I've had more than a few concerning our usually red-all-over Cardinals sporting white wings, white crests and white heads. I have yet to see any and my yard ususally hosts a couple of dozen of these guys.

 

[Dr Manjeet Singh]

Welcome to Birdforum and i hope you enjoy the best Birdforum in the world.Regards from Malaysia. :t:

 

[Mark Bruce]

Hi ohio_buck,a warm welcome to you.

 

[robinm]

Hi ohio_buck, welcome to BirdForum :t:

 

[salty]

hello, welcome to bird forum!

 

[Mlaw]

hello OHio buck i u mentchend u were vesitting hhi during the summer thats cool i live there what a quinsidentces. o and about that white headed cardnail it was proboly a odd looking female

 

[Grammie]

just saw one too!

how wonderful to see a gorgeous white-headed female cardinal just now! She and her hubby stopped by my balcony in Decatur, GA.

I went searching to see how common these partial albinos are and discovered this site.

thanks for a great forum!