Albino Purple Martins / Rick Cruz

[Terry Suchma]

Dear Landlords,

Interest in albinism in Purple Martins was recently sparked when we featured photos of a special, partial abino Purple Martin ASY from the colony of Diane Oberlander in NW Pennsylvania.

Diane is a keen photographer and a fortunate landlord to experience the unique opportunity to host a partial albino martins.

This recent occurence brought to mind a vintage and wonderfully insightful article on Albinism in Purple Martins by Rick Cruz. This article appeared in the 40-page publication the Society formerly published.

Albino Martins

The history of mankind is intrinsically linked to Man’s ability to domesticate plants and animals. Otherwise, there would be no civilization. Consider the simple act of learning how to tame wild organisms allowed us to stop hunting, gathering and wandering in search of food. As a result culture and civilization advanced and prospered from this simple act.

In this day in age, it just does not occur to us to think about this. We are so far removed from the history of domestication that few of us ponder the historical consequences and implications of its historical significance. Scientists believe that dogs were the first domesticated animals. Recent genetic tests have confirmed that all the dog breeds of the world originated in a few selective races of wolves from various parts of Asia some 10,000 years before Christ. Sheep and goats were thought to be next around 8000 B.C.; cattle around 5000 BC; horses at 4000 BC; cats at 2000 BC. The list continues to this day with smaller creatures such as hamsters, gerbils, fish and reptiles. The underlying factor to the domestication of plants and animals is the human ability to notice subtle changes or differences in living organisms, to recognize a use for it in some way, and, then be able to selectively breed that trait into that particular organism for a purpose.

These purposes vary wildly. Dogs are probably the best example of this. There are hundreds of breeds of dogs bred for certain purposes. Dogs were bred for everything for hunting, retrieving, rescue, and just for companionship. Horses were bred for certain purposes as well such as war, in particular and for heavy labor. Man bred cattle and pigs for food and handiness in difficult climactic zones. If there is a particular need for a particular breed, people will find a way to meet and attain this goal through selective breeding of domestic animals.

The real question is how did we, as a species, ourselves, get this idea?

We, as a people, seem to place much emphasis on differences for good and for bad. It seems logical that long ago our ancestors took notice of subtle changes in their environment and were quick to notice any changes in the plants and animals around them. Anything abnormal had great significance. The site of a white bison by American Indians was shocking enough to give it the protected status of a god. The same was made of a white elephant in India. The sight of a white Sperm Whale caused fear and superstition among early whalers. A black leopard in Africa was a demon. Any departure from the norm was noticed and given significance.

When domestication first began it was these significant, abnormal organisms that were selected. These stood out in some physical way. Their uniqueness in color prompted people to preserve and propagate them. The Romans were credited with domesticating the European rabbit. Instead of hunting them, some nobles decided to capture a few rabbits and toss them in rock walled gardens. Under a predator-free environment an all-white rabbit would pop out of a warren from time to time. Eventually, the white ones were favored and selective breeding of rabbits began. Color is always first temperament; usefulness seems to always follow. Man has a fondness for color and an eye for beauty. Once it was learned that through some force unknown to us we could propagate all sorts of color varieties in animals and plants, it became a huge part of our human civilization and culture.

Thousands of years later, we still possess that same eye for difference and beauty that lurks below the surface― even in the world of Purple Martin husbandry. Each year there are scattered reports of white martins. To my knowledge, these birds seem to be noticed coincidentally close to fledgling stage with their heads popping out of their nest chambers. And, just by chance, their presence catches some martin steward’s attention.

It always seems like a big deal in our interest. Once again, people become excited by the aberrations that Nature seems to release from time to time. To our eyes a white martin is a beautiful, rare and unique creature. Our instinct is to want to save it, protect it, and, I am sure in some cases, they want to propagate it. It is very natural, deep, and instinctive to us, however, in Nature, color variation, particularly white, is not usually a good thing.

To understand why, it is necessary to get a basic understanding of this phenomenon

Color changes in any organism, including Purple Martins, is called mutation. Color mutations can either be indifferent, beneficial, or harmful. A spotted cat like a jaguar or a leopard can be all black and can survive without a problem (indifferent). A Red Trumpet flower is more appealing to the pollinating abilities of a hummingbird (beneficial). A white mouse is more easily seen by a hunting hawk (harmful). Under normal circumstances the majority of organisms are colored properly for their species. If there is a high rate of color mutations a species’ population would quickly decrease, severely affecting their ability to survive as a species. So, in Nature, color mutations tend to be rare.

Color mutations are quite simply inherited genetic traits that affect a living thing’s ability, or lack thereof, to produce certain color producing pigments. The white color is by far the most common color mutation of all organisms. It occurs in all species, even plants (which do not survive long).

Normally, most people refer to white coloration as albino, but, in actuality, there are two types of white coloration.

Albinism is a total lack of pigmentation. This mutation is caused by a gene that inhibits the production of a protein called Melanin. This protein is responsible for giving dark color to every tissue seen and unseen. The result of a lack of Melanin is that there is no natural pigmentation. Albinos have snow-white hair, fur, or, in the case of birds, feathers. Their skin is also pink and so are their nails or claws. Pink eyes are the trademark of a true albino. Blood vessels in albinos have no pigment so they are transparent like glass allowing the blood to be seen through the eyes, giving it a pink look. True albinism is thought to occur in 1 out of 10,000 births. It has to be passed from both parents who have this trait hidden (unseen). One of the reasons it is so rare is that the odds of such a union itself is so rare.

Albinos endure huge physical problems. Their eyesight is typically impaired. Nature utilizes Melanin as the first defense against Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Melanin absorbs sunlight preventing it from damaging sensitive tissue. Sunlight can quickly destroy the eyes of albinos. For a bird, this is devastating. To a nocturnal, or burrow-loving creature, it may not be a big deal. Without this pigment, the UV of the sun literally can kill a creature within a short period of time. It is not uncommon that albinos may also be blind from birth, lacking the protein bonds on melanin to give proper vision in the first place. Also, albinos seem to have weakened immune function and are quite susceptible to disease and illness coupled with the fact they also have weak organ systems. The stress of living in the wild is too much for these animals so they frequently perish before they can reproduce. One must remember that some of the non-albino siblings carry this hidden trait only to be passed on sometime in the future.

Leucism is commonly called semi-albinism and partial albinism.

Leucistic animals can be all white or partially white. Unlike albinism, this genetic condition still produces melanin throughout the creature’s body with the exception of the hair, feathers or fur. The most defining factor is dark-colored eyes. In the case of Purple Martins, the bird would appear completely white have dark or slightly dark feet and normal (unpink) eyes. This color mutation does not have all the physical handicaps of albinism. Sunlight is not destructive to this condition and all the tissues and organ systems function as well as a normally-colored individual. Leucistic pigeons are very common through out every city in the world and survive and reproduce without any problems.

Leucism also produces what is called partial or incomplete bilateral symmetry. Simply put, these are typical birds with abnormal white feathering scattered about their body. The classic term for this is called pied. American Robins have this from time to time. It is not uncommon to find a normally-colored robin with the exception of both of its wings being completely white. Grackles frequently have this mutation as well having various tail feathers that are white. Leucism is not well understood. It is purely genetic and thought to fall into the category of incomplete dominance in genetic circles.

Just to make things more confusing. Not all white coloration in birds is genetic. Sometimes, disease, malnutrition, and injury can cause damage to feather follicles producing white feathers. Normally, the birds’ yearly cycle replaces these feathers when the bird molts. There is no real way to discern a genetic variant from these causes unless one actually sees the bird molt, or has it in captivity.

No matter which way you look at it. A white Purple Martin is typically doomed. As an albino, chances are they will not live on their own more than a few months at best. A leucistic martin may not have the physical problems of a true albino but they still have a high price to pay in their short lifetime.

Typically, their own species shuns them. Birds see color well and it could mean they instinctively know a white bird, or, more specifically, a non-pigmented bird, brings unwanted attention from winged predators. (For some reason pigeons do not seem to know this.) A white Purple Martin stands out like a sore thumb in a flock of their own. It is very easy for an accipiter to focus all his attention on that one white bird. In order to survive to breeding age, that bird somehow has to avoid the extra attention that its plumage brings. If such a bird can survive the odds of such a task, it is then faced with the problem of acquiring a mate. Most wildbirds are visually oriented in terms of courtship. Most species have distinct color plumage designed for attracting mates and challenging rivals. A Purple Martin that lacks such plumage is at a terrible disadvantage. Its ability to reproduce has been severely hindered. This is the way it is suppose to be. These color morphs are not expected to breed and pass on these flaws. In order to survive, Purple Martins need to maintain the color that they have. Their color is time-tested and has proved to be advantageous in the game of survival. Passing on various colors through a population hinders its ability to thrive. This is what predation is all about. Eliminating the weak genes from the population.

White Purple Martins are suppose to die.

There should be no attempt for anyone to save a white martin from its fate. They are beautiful to our eyes alone not to Nature’s. There is no reason for us to try to domesticate martins. It serves no purpose. Domestication always has a purpose. Even rats were domesticated for a reason. Domesticated animals live to serve man, many in a violent way. Just because it is pretty does not translate that it should be taken away and propagated. It has been suggested that these birds are already domesticated. The very definition of these suggests otherwise. Domestication involves taming, containing and selectively-breeding for specific traits. Martins are more habituated to humans more than made captive by them. They become tame only because they become use to the presence of people. We do not determine which bird reproduces with which bird. We do not select, or force, martins to pair up with each other in pursuit of a desired trait we think is desirable. Purple Martins should be left as they are. Wild creatures. And, living as wild as they can.