Is an Albino Kookaburra rare ?
inflight Albino
Not sure how rare it really is. The internet can play tricks on the perception. I couldn’t find any other inflight shots, so atleast I feel like I got a first.. 🙂 Although it appears my find is not an Albino, but a Leucistic variety, as it does not have the pink eyes.
Here’s the story:
It was about midday, when I was just returning home. I was putting the bins away when I heard some birds fighting in the air. Now if you live in Australia this is not anything really surprising, but when I looked up I saw 3 kookaburras having a bit of an aerial argument. It seems like 2 of them were harassing the other. That’s when I noticed the other one was different. Absolutely no markings at all. Completely all white feathers. An Albino Kookaburra !
After the trio flew there separate ways I notice the Albino kookaburra flew over my house towards the backyard. I raced inside, grabbed my D700 and put the 300mm F/4 lens on with the 1.4x Teleconverter. I quietly made my way out to the backyard hoping the anomaly had stayed around long enough for me to get a shot.
posing albino
I was pleasantly surprised to find him sitting up on a neighbors antenna. I snapped a few static shots with a few profile angles, before he took off. Luckily I was right on him, and was able to shoot a few continuous shots of him as he flew off. Plenty of practice paid off shooting bird of prey in Calgary. I was happy to get what I did, as I have not seen him since. He wasn’t exactly a plump specimen so lets hope he survives the constant tormenting from his peers.
Technical notes
Given the speed that all this happened, I had to think and move quickly. Camera setting needed to be automatic, so you can focus on the subject. For my given camera, lens and adapter I knew I could shoot wide open (F/5.6) and shot in aperture mode, with a +0.7 exposure for the predominantly white bird in a tough backlit lighting.
enjoy.
very awesome Luke!
Thanks Rob.. All that Boid photography paid off for one fleating moment.. 🙂
I seen a Albino kookaburra today in my back fence but couldnt get the camera in time. You got some great shots
Thanks Shane for the kind words.. Good to hear you saw one.. Are you in the Brisbane area ?
Hi Luke
I live in Brisbane and today got the shock of my life to see an albino kookaburra. I have never even heard of them before. I did manage to get some shots too but nothing like yours as I only have a very basic camera. I was surprised at how long he stayed in the tree. It was with two other kookaburras but they didn’t seem to be bothering it.
Colleen
That’s great Colleen ! I can understand your surprise when you spotted him/her, as I felt the same way. Ironically I have seen the Leucistic Kookaburra a few other times since these shot and there was 2 other kookaburra’s hanging out with him. I guess it is possibly the same “crew” we have seen. Are you on the south side, Mt Gravatt area ? Thanks for taking the time to comment. Luke
Yes, I live at Wishart so it’s very possible they are the same birds that you have seen. I have told a few of my friends and family and I’m sure they don’t believe me. Fortunately my husband saw it too and the photos I took prove it. 🙂
Definitely the same kookaburra as I live in Wishart too !. Could be your neighbor. 😉
Hi, I saw an albino kookaburra yesterday. I live in Mt Gravatt East where the creek backs on to Pine Mountain Road. I was also very surprised as I have never seen one before and have seldom heard of them. I managed to get some pics but they are not the best as they are on my Iphone. The one I saw was big and not thin at all so it has done well surviving. I hope to see him/her again 🙂
That’s great Brooke, thanks for taking the time to comment and keep us updated. It’s funny how there are quite a few people in the area who are continuing to see him/her. Hopefully this post will become a log book of their progress. Thanks again and glad you were able to see him/her.
Hi I have been seeing an albino kookaburra in the shellharbour area south of Wollongong awesome
Hey good stuff George. It’s great to see and hear of more of these guys. Do you know if he/she had red eyes ? Or maybe a Leusitic like the one on my site. Thanks for commenting.