This rare bird has got feathers ruffled in Warden Bay.

The creature, believed to be an albino starling, was spotted on a garden bird table - and got one couple in a bit of a flap.

The almost totally white bird, identical in shape and size to a starling, was spotted by Andy and Sandra Anderson feeding in the garden at their home on Sunday morning.

Mr Anderson said other than a pale yellow beak and black rings around its eyes, the bird was completely white.

He said: "There were all the usual birds feeding from the table and then suddenly, out of the blue, this all-white bird turned up."

"It looked like a starling and "chattered" like one and went backwards and forwards for an hour - driving my wife to distraction trying to identify it!

"She got the bit between the teeth and we basically spent the best part of the day trying to find out about it. It was very entertaining."

After numerous telephone calls to friends and an appeal to another to search the internet for more information, the couple believe their visitor was an albino/leucistic starling.

"If we are right, it is a very rare bird," said 78-year-old Mr Anderson.

The couple said no-one else had appeared to see the bird that day - and they haven't seen it since.

An RSPB spokesman said: "We are not aware of any other reports specifically from this area and generally only get a handful of such sightings over a year.

"It is very rare to see albinos as they rarely survive for long.

"Because they are conspicuous, they are more likely to fall prey to predators.

"They are normally less robust and often have deficient eyesight and hearing.

"Albinos can sometimes be shunned by other birds and find it difficult to obtain a mate.

"Albinism is most often reported in dark coloured species that are commonly seen in urban areas.

"This may be because of the higher chances of these birds being seen."

Leucism is the avian equivalent of albinism. It is described as a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly - resulting in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or more rarely, completely white creatures.

Have you seen the same bird? Call the newsroom on 01795 580 330 or emailtimesguardian@thekmgroup.co.uk