Mysore: Just as in humans, albinism is common in animal species too -- and crows are no exception. The sight of a white crow has generated much excitement in Srirangapatna. Hundreds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the bird (Corvus macronychos or Corvus splendens), which is commonly called Indian crow.
On Friday, people noticed the white crow perched on a branch near the town's Cauvery School. Curious passers-by and even officials stopped for a closer look. Srirangapatna tahsildar Kavita Rani was among those who saw the bird from close quarters.
Rani confirmed sighting the albino but said she was not sure whether it was a white crow or another bird. "As I was passing on that route, on seeing large crowd, I asked my driver to stop the jeep and went near it to see a white bird perched on a branch. It looked like a crow," she said. "Some people took its pictures, and someone even captured it on video."
However, bird-watcher and wildlife photographer H P Ashwin said it was nothing out of the ordinary . "Like in other animals, albinism is common in crows," he said, claiming to have seen a couple of white crows near Melkote, the pilgrim centre in neighbouring Pandavapura taluk, some time ago.
If seen at normal times, the white crow would have been overlooked by the people. However, it comes in the wake of an ominous prediction reportedly by a seer from Hassan district : "A white crow which appears in the skies of Srirangapatna before this year's Dasara will have disastrous effects on the region."
On its prophetic significance, Ashwin said there is difference of opinion among the people. While in India the crow is considered a bad omen, in some countries like Malaysia, it is said that sighting a white crow will bring good luck.