Rare ‘Leucistic Common Moorhen’ Bird Spotted In Odisha’s Khurda

Khurda: A rare colored bird, Leucistic Common Moorhen, has been spotted in Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary in Khurda district.

According to reports, bird guide Madhu Behera spotted the bird. He found a rare mutation known as ‘Leucism’ in the Common Moorhen, a resident bird of Mangalajodi and took some photos.

Later, Madhu sent the photos to former Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khurda, Subhendu Mallik who identified the mutation as ‘Partially Leucism’.

“The aberrantly colored Common Moorhen has white feathers in its wings and body next to normal-colored ones. This rare bird has normal colored bill and feet. It has normal neck, head and eyes. Therefore, the bird is a partially Leucistic,” said Subhendu.

Notably, a normal colored Common Moorhen as per ebird.org, has “Big white oval patches under tail and white streaks along flanks. Adult has red bill with yellow tip and immature has duller bill and legs, said Subhendu.

Madhu Behera had earlier spotted rare mutant birds such as a Leucistic Northern Shoveler and an all-white Purple Moorhen in Mangalajodi in 2020.

“We expect more tourists to visit Mangalajodi to watch this rare Leucistic Common Moorhen bird,” said Madhu.

This is for the first time in Odisha and second time in India that Leucistic Common Moorhen has been spotted. Earlier, a Leucistic Common Moorhen was spotted at Vellayani-Punchakari wetlands in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

Also Read: Rare ‘Falcated Duck’ Spotted For First Time In Odisha’s Mangalajodi