One-in-100,000 Event: Albino Crow appears in Philippines, extremely rare in the wild

A rare albino white crow has been spotted in Misamis Oriental, Philippines. (Image: Jun Rey Yap)

A rare white crow has captured public attention in the Philippines. It was spotted in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. The bird is albino, lacking melanin in feathers, skin and eyes. Albino crows are extremely uncommon in the wild. Experts estimate they appear as rarely as one in 30,000 to 100,000 births.

The crow was photographed by Jun Rey Yap, a wildlife photographer from Cagayan de Oro. He shared images of the crow on social media. The sighting drew widespread attention from photographers and nature enthusiasts. The bird’s unusual colour makes it instantly recognisable.

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The bird was found in northern Mindanao, near the village of Jasaan. It frequents a local family’s home rather than staying in the wild. The crow had been rescued after an injury in 2020. Its survival in a human-influenced environment increases its visibility to observers.

The white crow was rescued three years ago as an injured chick. It has returned repeatedly to the family home in Misamis Oriental. The photographers captured the bird during recent visits in 2025. Its consistent presence allows for documentation and study.

Albinism prevents melanin production, affecting feathers, eyes, and skin. This reduces camouflage, making survival in the wild difficult. Genetic rarity and environmental vulnerability explain why sightings are exceptional. The bird’s condition allows researchers to study genetic mutations in corvids. The albino crow is as rarely as one in 30,000 to 100,000 births.

The white crow provides scientists with a rare example of albinism in corvids. Albinism is a genetic mutation that prevents melanin production, affecting feathers, eyes and skin. Studying this bird helps researchers understand genetic variation and inheritance in wild bird populations.

It also offers insight into how rare mutations affect survival and behaviour. This crow allows observation of adaptation and resilience in semi-captive conditions. The sighting has raised awareness about genetic diversity and conservation of wildlife in the Philippines.