A white cardinal is not a separate species; it is a rare color variation of the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) caused by a genetic condition called leucism. While often described in social media posts as a "one-in-a-million" bird, expert estimates on their frequency vary, with some suggesting they may occur in approximately 1 out of every 1,800 cardinals. Understanding Leucism Leucism is a genetic mutation that prevents pigment, specifically melanin, from being properly deposited in a