The black AND white bird! Wildlife lover, 62, stunned after discovering rare blackbird with 'albino' stripes

Twitcher Kim Oliver pictured the unusual bird in Coventry rummaging for food

The bird's colourings are the result of a rare plumage condition called leucism

The defect has been spotted in a number of British bird species 

By HARRY PETTIT FOR MAILONLINE 

PUBLISHED: 13:52, 26 October 2018 | UPDATED: 14:07, 26 October 2018

A wildlife-lover was left stunned after discovering a rare blackbird near his home with both black and white markings.

Twitcher Kim Oliver, 62, pictured the unusual bird rummaging for food in autumn leaves on a footpath near a busy road in Coventry.

The retired photographer said he has never seen a bird like it in over 50 years of bird watching.

Rather than being albino, the blackbird's striking colourings are believed to be the result of a rare plumage condition called leucism.

The defect has been spotted in many British birds, but almost half of all reported cases have been blackbirds.

A wildlife-lover was left stunned after discovering a rare blackbird near his home - with both black and white markings

Mr Oliver first spotted the bird last week while walking near his home in Binley, Coventry, and said it took three visits before the bird started to recognise him and not fly off.

The curious creature became so tame on his final visit that it hopped over to him so he could capture these amazing images. 

Mr Oliver said the stunning bird reminded him of a Dalmatian dog and was one of the most unusual he had come across in his five decades of bird watching.

He added: 'I have never seen, yet alone heard of, this type of blackbird. Albino yes, but not like this.

'It looks more white than black depending on the angle and it took me three visits to confirm exactly what it was. 

'It is incredibly striking. It's like a Dalmatian version of a blackbird. I've heard of albino birds but these markings were different.'

It is not known why the leucism affects blackbirds in this way- but some experts believe it could down to stress, ageing or a genetic disorder.

Ornothologist Paul Stancliffe, from the The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), said: 'To see a blackbird with the odd white feather is not that unheard of but the more white you see the more rare it becomes.

'There are only two or three reports a year of white blackbirds, such as this so it is rather uncommon.

'There are several theories as to why leucism occurs but nobody knows for sure.

Read on and watch video