A California Scrub Jay Like You've Never Seen Before, at the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center

For reasonably logical reasons, albino animals don't survive well in the wild. They might as well have a target painted on their bodies, for without camouflage they are easily detected by predators. The lack of melanin in their feathers is another problem: without it, the feathers are weaker and easily damaged. The birds can't fly as well, and lose insulation.

This particular bird, a California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica), is a permanent resident and wildlife ambassador at the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center, which rehabilitates injured animals and birds, and when possible tries to release them back into the wild. They do good work, and depend on donations from the public. We were attending an open house the other day.