Birdwatchers are flocking to the grounds of Dover Castle, Kent, to see what appears to be a rare albino magpie. The bird has been seen for several weeks flying around the area and being fed by its parents — both normal black-and-white magpies. Although the younger bird’s bright plumage might make it a target for being mobbed by other birds, Graham Madge, a spokesman for the RSPB, said magpies were notorious for holding their own. The picture was taken by Brian Hopper, an amateur photographer, who waited two weeks for an unobstructed view.

Mr Hopper, 46, from Dover, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it, it stood out like a sore thumb but was very shy because it returned to the tree canopy and I didn’t see it again.

“Over the next two weeks I kept going back time and again and I got the odd glimpse of it but not enough to take pictures.

“Then it broke cover with its parents who were perfectly normal black and white magpies.

“He looked perfectly healthy and chipper and was full of noise. I’m not sure if he couldn’t see properly because he was a bit clumsy at landing.

“I have never seen anything like it before. It was brilliantly white from top to tail.”

Mr Madge said there is no reason why the magpie couldn’t live a normal life although he was not sure if it would be shunned by others.

“It is a very unusual condition. It’s hard to tell if this bird is an albino or if it is suffering from an acute case of leucism, which reduces an animal’s pigmentation.

“This bird is likely to do as well as any other magpie, although it would be interesting to see if it shunned by other magpies because of its colour.

“Magpies are very social and conspicous birds so it shouldn’t matter if this one sticks out a bit more than the rest.

“Magpies are a member of the crow family and they are near the top of the chain, they don’t have to worry too much about predators.

“They are powerful birds with a stromg brill and feet. They would be a match for any cat.”

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