Albino vulture makes home at sanctuary

ST. LOUIS -- A one-of-a-kind bird is now making its home at the World Bird Sanctuary in suburban St. Louis.

Executive director Walter Crawford said Thursday that an albino Black Vulture -- the only one known to exist and just the second ever seen -- arrived about five weeks ago. The white bird with pink eyes was found in Michigan.

Wildlife officials feared the vulture could not survive in the wild. The World Bird Sanctuary, which houses about 300 birds, is recognized worldwide for its educational and rehabilitation efforts.

Crawford said the bird is now healthy and living next to another rare bird -- an albino Great Horned Owl.

Experts believe the vulture is about a year old. After DNA testing determines the vulture's sex -- birds don't have external sex organs -- officials will decide whether to try to breed it, Crawford said.

"It's a beautiful, beautiful bird," Crawford said. "That and the owl are probably two of the prettiest ones I've ever seen."

The albino appearance is the result of lack of pigment in the skin and feathers. The only previously recorded albino Black Vulture was discovered in Kansas about 20 years ago, Crawford said.

-- From wire reports