Albino sparrows caught on camera in garden by twitcher

A pair of rare Albino sparrows have turned up in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The pure white birds, which lack the the common sparrow's usual brown, grey and black pigmentation, were spotted in a garden near Islandmagee.

An RSPB expert says the sparrows are probably members of a brood of entirely white birds, as some birds are born with reduced pigmentation.



The Islandmagee birds show classic Albino characteristics with pure white plumage, pink eyes no sign of the usual colours in their beaks or legs.

A local bird watcher managed to film the birds feeding and resting.

Sadly, the Albino birds face an uncertain future, as their bright plumage marks them out and leaves them particularly vulnerable to attack by predators.