The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shared video of a rare bald eagle sighting.
Justin Briley shot the video of the white bald eagle.
JUST IN TIME FOR THAT WORLD CUP WIN, WE HAVE A LEUCISTIC BALD EAGLE SIGHTING. THIS EAGLE'S ABNORMAL COLOR IS CAUSED BY A GENETIC CONDITION CALLED LEUCISM, WHICH PREVENTS PIGMENTS FROM REACHING ITS FEATHERS.
— Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (@OKWildlifeDept) November 30, 2022
LEUCISTIC BALD EAGLES ARE RARE.
LOOK AT 'EM: pic.twitter.com/zywGRSMigA
“Oklahoma seems to be a great place to spend the winter – especially if you’re an eagle,” ODWC officials said in the Facebook post. “While there isn’t any way to confirm that this is the same one seen repeatedly along the Illinois River last year, leucistic eagles are VERY rare, and a treat to see in outdoor Oklahoma.”
In Feb. wildlife officials shared another photo of an all-white eagle spotted in the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian, Okla. Greg Silva was credited for that photo. After that siting, ODWC says bird enthusiasts from across the country traveled to the refuge to get see the eagle for themselves.
ODWC says the abnormal color is caused by a genetic condition, which prevents pigments from reaching its feathers.
©2022 Imagicomm Tulsa, Inc.