Non-leucistic aberrations in the plumage of birds from Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

Abnormalities in the plumage are caused by multiple environmental and genetic factors. Plumage aberrations have been reported in Mexico, but all have been classified as leucistic (white color due to a recessive gene). However, other types of plumage aberrations have been identified and have not been reported for Mexico, such as progressive greying, melanism, or brown mutation. During field work about birds in the state of Nayarit, we observed individuals belonging to six species of birds with abnormal plumages, which we characterized as non-leucistic. We determined progressive greying in Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Brown plumage in American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and ino plumage in Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). The brown plumage and the ino involve genetic factors. Instead, progressive greying involve several factors (genetic and non-genetic) in its expression. These aberrations had not previously been reported for birds in Mexico.

Keywords

• encanecimiento progresivo
• leucismo
• mutación ino
• mutación marrón.