According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), merely1 in 17,000 people has albinism. Albinism is “a congenital absence of pigment in the skin and hair (which are white) and the eyes (which are usually pink).”
Past the human species, other animals have presented with albinism and for how rare they are, they’re always also totally magical looking. For example, this screech owl with albinism. Don’t mistake those beautiful white feathers for a snow owl, this is an entirely different breed of owl!
His cherry-red eyes peer into the depths of your soul. Honestly, everything about this incredibly rare (and REAL) albino owl is equally magical and terrifying.
It’s always a good day to appreciate the facial expressions of owls, and this rare owl does not disappoint.
Screech owls are usually gray or rusty brown and their eyes are usually yellow.
The owl’s total lack of melanin extends to it’s eyes. The iris is technically colorless, the red we see is because the iris is reflecting the pink to red skin around its eyes.
Soul-Peering Gaze.
Check it out in action! People have debated and argued the owl is real, but it definitely is!
According to livescience, albino screech owls’ eyes “can range from pink to a dark cherry-red.” Additionally, “pink toes are another indicator of albinism in owls.”
