Leucistic (pale plumage) Gentoo Penguin

Couverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula

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Leucistic Gentoo

Leucism

Leucism is a form of incomplete partial albinism in which the eyes, bill, and legs remain normally colored, while the plumage has decreased pigmentation.

Only one of 20.000 Gentoo penguins is leucistic - see Prevalence of Leucism in Pygocelid Penguins of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Leucistic penguins have been spotted on a number of breeding sites throughout the Antarctic Peninsula. It is a rare sight - I have only seen a few of these birds - this one and a Chinstrap on Deception Island.

The leucistic Gentoo at Couverville Island

This one was spotted on Couverville Island in the Antarctic Peninsula in January 2003.

We also saw a leucistic Gentoo at Couverville in 2008, but it was deep into a restricted part of the island, so it was not possible to see if it was the same bird.