The Vellayani-Punchakari wetlands, which have come to be known as a haven for birdwatchers, has witnessed yet another rare sighting.
A group of zoologists spotted a leucistic common moorhen at the Vellayani lake during an expedition held a few days ago. R. Sreejai, Assistant Professor at the Department of Zoology, St. Stephen’s College, Pathanapuram, and V.S. Chithra, Project Associate at the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, have reported the rare presence of the bird among purple moorhens and common moorhens.
White plumage
It was found to have white plumage with black patches in contrast to the regular presence of coloured bill and feet.
According to Mr. Sreejai, common moorhen (scientific name: Gallinula chloropus ) is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling water bird belonging to the family Rallidae. The species is easily recognised by its vivid red shield, short yellow bill, black or dark brown plumage and white under tail. The sighting of bird with abnormal pigmentation is considered to be rare even though this species is common in our wetlands.
These omnivorous moorhen species inhabit reedbeds, freshwater wetlands, marshes and irrigated lands. Common moorhen species are categorised as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), considering its wide range of distribution and increasing population trends.
While several species of leucistic birds have already been reported worldwide, the photographic record of a leucistic common moorhen could be among the first ones from the country, he says. Leucism is an abnormal partial loss of pigmentation that is caused by genetic mutation.
The condition is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, including melanin.
