Albino Oystercatcher

wytch

So I was out yesterday and saw what I believe was an Albino Oystercatcher. I haven't any photos and was looking through binoculars. I can't see it being anything else and when I google "albino oystercatcher" the images that come up look very like what I saw. I don't really want to advertise where it was in case its very rare and some unsavory might, well do something. I might be inclined to share with regular posters with a genuine interest. Unless wiser people on here suggest I don't. I visit the area every few weeks but I don't know if I could get a clear photo. Just thought I post this to see if anyone had an interest.

recedite

Before we go any further, can you identify a Little Egret?

wytch

recedite wrote: »

Before we go any further, can you identify a Little Egret?

Hi, yes as far as an egret, it was white with a red straight bill. I couldnt see the legs but I am very sure they were short. its head neck and breast were snow white. It had what looked like a black ring around the eye I could see. Its back was a mix of black and white feathers. At a distance I thought it was a little too big to be an oystercather. I took a note of its features in my phone whilst looking. The red bill seems to be key.

recedite

From the speckled description and the red bill it sounds like a leucistic oystercatcher alright. There seems to a few cropping up around "the British Isles" now and again.
Not quite the same thing as an albino animal, which generally has no dark melanin colour at all, even in the eyes, which then look pink.
So what part of the country was this?

wytch

I didn't notice anything about the eye colour. I would think if it was red or pink I would have taken note. I may be wrong about this aspect though. Thx.

Half-cocked

Where did you see it? There is one in Baldoyle Bay, Co Dublin seen regularly.