Plumage color aberrations in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) on the Atlantic coast of Santa Cruz province, Argentina

Abstract

Plumage color aberrations in wild birds are of interest since they are rare and poorly documented worldwide, particularly in seabirds. They may result from temporary external factors or heritable mutations. The most common heritable chromatic aberrations in birds are albinism, leucism, brown mutation, dilution and melanism. This work compiles records of chromatic aberrations observed in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) and the Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) on the Atlantic coast of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. Cases of partial leucism, total leucism and brown mutation were observed in Magellanic Penguins, while cases of dilution and partial leucism were recorded in Kelp Gulls. This work emphasizes the importance of reporting these cases in order to determine their prevalence and potential ecological and evolutionary implications.