A white blackbird with albino features has been spotted in Claydon during the winter. (Image: Archant)
A RARE albino blackbird has taken up residence in a homeowner’s garden.
Steve Manning, of Claydon, said the bird had been a regular visitor to his garden after being spotted around the village during winter.
Erica Howe, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), confirmed it was a full albino blackbird.
She said: “It is very rare. Albinism occurs with a double recessive gene, which is more likely to occur if related birds interbreed.
“They often do not live long as they are more conspicuous to predators and their vision is not good; so they are less adept at detecting cats and sparrowhawks.”
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