Very rare white leucistic magpie spotted in Hove garden by young boy

The creature, spotted by nine-year-old Sonny Kuehne, looks like a whole new species but is actually a common bird in the UK - a magpie. 

These birds are known for their vibrant black plumage and purplish-blue iridescent sheen on their wing feathers and a green gloss to the tail.

But this one seen in a garden in Woodland Drive, Hove, is almost completely white. 

Sonny's grandad Terry Scott, who lives in Burgess Hill, reported the sighting to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Experts at the BTO confirmed this is what is known as a leucistic magpie and said it is very rare.

"Leucistic birds are different to albinos, which are all white and lack all pigment, so that their eyes are pink, along with bill and feet," a BTO spokesman told The Argus.

A screen grab of the video showing the leucistic magpie in flight (Image: Sonny Kuehne)

"Leucistic birds have reduced pigment, in the case of this magpie it is quite pronounced.

"This type of aberration is more commonly seen in blackbirds and crows, where a few white feathers might be visible."

READ MORE: Rare bird from Asia spotted in Sussex

This magpie has the characteristic black eyes, beak and feet and small areas of black on the tips of the tail and wing feathers.

Leucism has some impacts on birds, as the reduction of pigment can cause feathers to weaken and be more prone to wear, the BTO said.

Nine-year-old Sonny Kuehne spotted the magpie and filmed it in flight (Image: Sonny Kuehne)

In some cases, this can hinder flight, which, added to the fact leucistic birds are usually more conspicuous, can heighten the risk of predation.

There is also evidence that leucistic birds might, on occasion, not be recognised or accepted by a potential mate.

The BTO asks people who spot birds with abnormal plumage, like this magpie, to add to its survey to help the charity better understand the phenomenon.

Leucistic birds have better survival rates than their albino cousins, which often die soon after fledging, primarily as a consequence of their poor eyesight.

Albino birds are not thought to progress to adulthood in the wild, the BTO said.