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Norfolk white sparrow faces survival fight Norfolk white sparrow faces survival fight
(34 minutes later)
A rare white sparrow that has appeared among a flock of about 30 birds in a garden in Norfolk will find survival a challenge, an expert has said.A rare white sparrow that has appeared among a flock of about 30 birds in a garden in Norfolk will find survival a challenge, an expert has said.
"The sparrow will stand out like a sore thumb," said Paul Stancliffe from the British Trust for Ornithology."The sparrow will stand out like a sore thumb," said Paul Stancliffe from the British Trust for Ornithology.
It appeared in John Soanes' garden in Hainford near Norwich in early summer. It appeared in John Sones' garden in Hainford near Norwich in early summer.
"It flies around with the others who look out for it but it has been attacked by a hawk and only got away by diving into a bush," Mr Soanes said. "It flies around with the others who look out for it but it has been attacked by a hawk and only got away by diving into a bush," Mr Sones said.
Mr Stancliffe said: "The leucistic bird is unusual because it is totally white from the top of its head to the tip of its tail.Mr Stancliffe said: "The leucistic bird is unusual because it is totally white from the top of its head to the tip of its tail.
"It is not albino as it has normal-coloured eyes and legs. Leucism [a partial loss of pigmentation] is common among a lot of species, especially blackbirds."It is not albino as it has normal-coloured eyes and legs. Leucism [a partial loss of pigmentation] is common among a lot of species, especially blackbirds.
"It would be albino if it had pink eyes and legs but it is a fantastic bird and I've never heard of one appearing in Norfolk before.""It would be albino if it had pink eyes and legs but it is a fantastic bird and I've never heard of one appearing in Norfolk before."
He added that the bird would stand out more than other sparrows, attracting predators, so survival was going to be a problem.He added that the bird would stand out more than other sparrows, attracting predators, so survival was going to be a problem.
Mr Soanes said he looks out for the bird every day and his neighbour has already shooed away a hawk that was trying to get into a hedge where it was hiding. Mr Sones said he looks out for the bird every day and his neighbour has already shooed away a hawk that was trying to get into a hedge where it was hiding.