ZAMBOANGA CITY (16 December)-A rare Philippine Pied Fantail (Rhipidura nigritorquis) was seen at the Great Sta. Cruz Island in this city, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its social media account.

The rare, medium-sized bird belongs  to the Family Rhipduridae.

Endemic to the Philippines, the rare Philippine Pied Fantail was observed by the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) staff during their regular patrol activity at the islands, and was documented by Environmental Management System (EMS) Officer Godfrey Lopez.

The said Philippine Pied Fantail exhibited leucism, a genetic condition that lightens its plumage without affecting its eye color. Leucistic birds usually have normal dark eyes. This is unlike rare albino birds because their lack of camouflage and visual challenges make survival more difficult.  

Albinism occurs in many bird species, but in albino birds melanin is completely absent, so they appear pure white with their eyes pink or red because blood vessels show through. Beaks, legs, and feet are pale or pinkish instead of dark, and they often have sensitive eyesight and may be more vulnerable in the wild.

While this pale bird is a rarity, the DENR Zamboanga Peninsula Page states that among old Subanen and Lumad folktales, a white-touched visitor is a “malumay nga timaan”, a soft sign that the spirits of the land are peaceful and the path ahead is clear. (Frencie L. Carreon / MindaNews)