Leucistic collared dove in Texas.

Leucistic collared dove seen in Texas. Photo credit Pat Fengler

These images of a leucistic Eurasian Collared dove were taken by Pat Fengler in Hideaway, Texas. It was with another normal dove, assumed to be its partners.

Eurasian Collared doves are not native to the Americas. It is believed that they were introduced into the Bahamas in the 1970s from where they spread to Florida and since across much of the USA. 

Leucism (or Leukism) 
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.

Click here to see our gallery of albino and leucistic animals and birds.