JANUARY 4 2018
Charles Goodsir
An unusual species of bird has
been discovered in the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. Staff and members of the
public were quick to point out the rare pied currawong due to its pale
"washed-out appearance".
Pied currawongs are found
throughout eastern Australia and are often mistaken for a common magpie
due to their jet black feathers and white undertail.
Although the bird thrives in open woodlands, the species have adapted
to live in urban areas.
At first, the Royal Botanic Garden had
trouble identifying the bird, thinking it may have been "an albino
crow". Wildlife expert Dr John Martin concluded that the pied
currawong was suffering from leucism.
Leucism is a rare genetic
condition that reduces the skin pigments in animals, which causes the skin to
appear white. However, Dr Martin said, leucism is different to albinism.
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