I took this photo in Diyarbakir, near Hevsel Gardens. When I first saw this bird from a distance, I mistook it for a white pigeon. It was foraging on the ground in the shade of a tree. I was very surprised when I got a little closer. I asked myself, "Do white magpies exist?" After taking a photo, I did some research. It turned out to be a magpie with leucism. A very rare occurrence in nature. I observed that it was ostracized by the other magpies; nevertheless, this leucistic magpie had managed to survive on its own.
I made the initial observation on November 16, 2025, and the last one yesterday. It made me very happy to see that, despite 255 days having passed, it is still alive and healthy. This magpie was more timid, cautious, and intelligent than the others. I tried very hard to take its picture.
Exif
ILCE-7RM4A , Sony 200-600 f5.6 -6.3 lens
F6.3 1/3200 ISO 1000
11 comments posted
Leslie Larson
Well, you succeeded. Lovely story of survival. Every now and then we also get a bird (and once a garter snake that didn't last very long) with leucism. People often mistake leucism for albinism. They are very different abnormalities. Thanks for taking the time to capture this magpie and track it for nearly a year. Posted: 08/02/2026 15:48:33
Veysi Arcagok
Thank you very much. Posted: 08/07/2026 14:33:25
Michael Braunstein
This was educational and a great story. The photo could be improved if you decrease the exposure a little and the whites and highlights a lot. This would take a minute in Camera RAW Posted: 08/02/2026 16:39:39
Veysi Arcagok
Thank you very much. Posted: 08/07/2026 14:33:31
Ted Evans
Veysi,
Becoming a birding photographer is a rewarding pastime and appealing. Additionally, capturing birds in flight is extremely specialized and much more difficult to achieve.
Your image of the Leucistic White Magpie is amazing. Shooting with auto ISO may have given you better exposure results. The settings were perfect to freeze flight motion.
Thank you for this unique and once in a lifetime capture. Posted: 08/05/2026 14:09:43
Veysi Arcagok
Thank you very much. Posted: 08/07/2026 14:33:46
Jim Overfield
Veysi, great shot of a bird in flight with a fantastic and very interesting story. Great job and thank you for sharing. Posted: 08/12/2026 23:46:44
Tom Buckard
Veysi, very interesting story and great that you could follow this bird for a year. Would be very interested if you see him again next year. Mine story is of a Scarlet Ibis alone among hundreds and hundreds of white ibises. Every summer for three years he or she would fly by in Fort Myers Beach, FL. with a huge flock of white ibis. One season he disappeared never to be seen again. Very good image, Veysi, and a very good non distracting background. Posted: 08/13/2026 13:52:05
Veysi Arcagok
I hope the Scarlet Ibis you observed is still alive. Thank you very much. Posted: 08/13/2026 17:04:16
Mike Cowdrey
Interesting shot of the magpie in it's unusual state. The condition has of course led to a degree of white out. You probably didn't get the chance to adjust the camera settings to limit this unfortunately. Good background that doesn't conflict with this interesting bird Posted: 08/14/2026 08:09:28
