Birdwatcher chuffed to spot ‘very rare’ white bird in Harrogate
by
Aug 13, 2021
What do you think the bird is?

An amateur birdwatcher has spotted what he believes is a rare white bird on the Stray in Harrogate.

David Johnson was walking with his dog and children when the bird caught his eye yesterday afternoon near Kwik Fit.

At first he thought it was a scrap of paper or a pigeon but was very happy to find something a little less common.

He thought that it could be white jackdaw but after asking a few questions he now believes that it could be a leucistic crow.

When Mr Johnson posted picture on a local Facebook group, one person replied to say there was a leucistic crow on the Stray around a decade ago nicknamed ‘Snowy’.

Birds with leucism are similar to those with albinism but they will have normally coloured eyes, legs, feet and bills.


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Mr Johnson told the Stray Ferret that he was chuffed:

“I posted something on a Facebook group. A few people came back to me with some information. They said it could be a leucistic crow.

“It it nice to see, it is really unusual. I walk around the Oval and Stray most days and I have not seen it before.

“The kids seem interested but maybe they weren’t as keen as me. I am really chuffed, we were lucky to spot it and Harrogate is lucky to have it.

“I have been telling lots of people, I am sure I have already bored my neighbours with it! It’s certainly the rarest bird I have ever seen.”


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