Is the recently observed yellow cardinal unique?

Researchers who studied its feathers concluded that the bird had a genetic mutation that impaired the metabolic processes that normally make red feathers out of the carotenoid-rich yellow and orange foods in a male cardinal's diet. read more

It is "a one in a million mutation," said Hill, who added that he had never seen a live yellow cardinal in 40 years of birdwatching. Another possible explanation, a National Audubon Society expert told the organization’s blog, is a dietary deficiency. read more

Congratulations are in order for Alabama’s famous yellow cardinal! Charlie Stephenson and photographer Jeremy Black, who were the first to spot the supremely rare bird in Alabaster back in February, observed Mr. Yellow, as he is known to his legion of devoted fans, spending a lot of time with a female cardinal over the past few months. read more