Updated 13 Sep 2019, 8:07am
Sandy Goddard was travelling from work
this week, on a road she uses most days, when an unusual sight caught her eye.
Key points:
A rare spotted magpie with a beak full
of worms has been seen outside Geelong, Victoria
The bird's unusual colouring is caused
by a condition called leucism
Local residents say they suspect it is
feeding young
"I spotted him on the side of the
road just outside of Geelong, in Victoria," Ms Goddard said.
"I thought it was a weird looking
rock at first. Then he moved!"
Ms Goddard enjoys bird photography and
said she was lucky to capture some clear images, after stopping on the side of
the road.
"I really hope he doesn't get hit
by a car, it's a bloody busy road," she said.
"He was right out the front of a
house and they probably see him everyday and don't even realise how special it
is."
Magpie a rare bird
Birdlife Australia's Mick Roderick said
the bird's unusual spots were caused by a rare condition called leucism, a
genetic variation in the cells responsible for producing black pigment.
"Birders would probably describe [it]
as being 'piebald', but its plumage is explained by a condition called
'leucism'," he said.
"It's very uncommon.
"This bird has a good mix of dark
(normal) and leucistic feathers, which is what makes it look piebald."
'Dalmatian magpie'
While most Australians are familiar
with magpies and their distinctive, warbling song which resonates through both
bush and city, many keen twitchers report they have never seen a magpie quite
like this before.
Ms Goddard's photos were shared on a
bird photography page on social media, where they have generated a lot of
interest.
