Rare sighting.

[Shezbug]

Hoping the link works

'A bit out of the ordinary': Rare black galah spotted in South Australian park

BirdLife Australia coordinator and science writer Tanya Loos says the unique colouring is due to a mutation called melanism, which causes an increased development of a dark-coloured pigment.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

Wow... how unusual!!!!

 

[Shezbug]

The white magpie was pretty special I thought.

 

[Ali]

Black galahs always look really sinister.

 

[tka]

Goth galah!

 

[Zara]

Oooh wow, very beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

 

[faislaq]

I've never heard of a black galahad before! And that kookaburra and magpie are really neat, too.

 

[expressmailtome]

That is a very striking mutation.

@Monica I am not sure if you have seen this mutation.

 

[Sodapop&Co.]

Incredible!!!!!

 

[Monica]

It's because this is not a mutation... but rather, a galah that has been nesting in a burnt out hollow in a tree.... one was spotted at least 13 years ago.

http://animal.memozee.com/view.php?tid=2&did=26135&mode=full

With the recent fires in Australia, thus plenty of burnt trees, it makes sense that this bird is covered in soot.

 

[expressmailtome]

It's because this is not a mutation... but rather, a galah that has been nesting in a burnt out hollow in a tree.... one was spotted at least 13 years ago.

http://animal.memozee.com/view.php?tid=2&did=26135&mode=full

With the recent fires in Australia, thus plenty of burnt trees, it makes sense that this bird is covered in soot.

Thank you for this insight. I assumed that it was a mutation.

 

[Ali]

Thank you for this insight. I assumed that it was a mutation.

I read that it was a mutation...

 

[Peachfaced]

It's because this is not a mutation... but rather, a galah that has been nesting in a burnt out hollow in a tree.... one was spotted at least 13 years ago.

http://animal.memozee.com/view.php?tid=2&did=26135&mode=full

With the recent fires in Australia, thus plenty of burnt trees, it makes sense that this bird is covered in soot.

I commented on Facebook when someone posted the same article a few days ago. It looked like soot/fire damage to me. Feather damage takes a long time to moult out, so it would make sense if this individual has been exposed.

 

[Monica]

If we consider the fact that Australia was under fire not too long ago.... and many trees burned... so many nesting sites may have also been burned.... I think it's safe to say it's probably soot!


However, if we have a bunch of little melanistic galahs running around, I might think differently!


Found another soot covered bird.... and if you look at the feathers, you can tell they aren't quite right... they don't appear "healthy"... (not to say they are unhealthy.. just not normal) A melanistic bird would appear the same as any other bird, just darker. The other photos aren't clear enough or at a bad angle or simply not close enough for us to really see the feathers to tell.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=975374279228308&id=682512321847840

 

[brayark]

I have always loved the English blackbirds best out of our garden bird's but I bet this one would be even more fun to watch

 

[Monica]

Someone has mentioned seeing a melanistic galah at a breeders home, but there are no pictures of the bird. Shame, really...

 

[Shezbug]

I do not know if the ones pictured can definitely be attributed to soot, but it is an interesting and valid point you raise. I just really would like to think it is not soot given that every other photo and story I have read from that source and involving birdlife Australia is pretty careful with not putting false info out there. They have shared pictures of many hybrids that some said was not possible or likely in the wild....