Pale puffin proves popular
Malachy TallackA rare, white puffin was spotted on Friday by visitors to Shetland onboard a tour boat around Bressay and Noss.
Though some distance away, Michael and Tamsin Kelly managed to take these photographs, which clearly show the very pale colouration.
A white bird such as this may be either true albino or leucistic (having normal coloured eyes and legs). Though the latter is more likely, both are extremely unusual, with generally fewer than one white puffin recorded per decade.
Albino and leucistic birds are highly vulnerable to predation, and do not usually survive long enough to breed.
NO COMMENTS
Add Your Comment