A bird photographer from Cagayan de Oro has captured a rare sighting in Misamis Oriental: a white crow that has since gone viral and sparked curiosity online.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Wednesday, Jun Rey Yap took the photos during his visit to Jasaan just last month.

“‘Yung nakita ko ‘yung white crow, very unique kaya pinuntahan ko ‘yun sa Jasaan,” he said. “Nakita ko po sa isang vlog kaya po na-encourage ako na puntahan talaga. As a wildlife photographer, ‘pag may nakikita kaming rare, ma-spot kami, very special para sa 'min.”

The white crow in Jasaan was rescued by a family in 2020.

According to Orvelle Ebalang, father of Jaybert, the bird was found injured when his son first encountered it.

“Pumunta ang aking bunso sa kuwan. Mayroon siyang nakita na puti na ibon. Gusto na niyang barilin, naawa siya. Ang ginawa niya umakyat siya ng puno para kunin. Pagkatapos dinala niya sa aming bahay. Paghuli niya, mayroong sugat. Tinambalan, inalagaan namin,” he said.

Jaybert had tried to release the bird back into the wild, but it kept returning to their home.

“Kahit siya lumipad na malayo, bumalik dito siya sa aming bahay,” Orvelle said.

Since then, the white crow has become an instant local celebrity, attracting photographers and content creators who want to catch a glimpse of the rare bird.

In 2014, a similar bird was also caught in the town of Villanueva.

According to wildlife biologist Jay Fidelino, such sightings, while rare, are scientifically possible.

“So ‘yung photo is of an albino na uwak o crow. Ito ‘yung mga hayop na hindi kaya mag-produce ng melanin or 'yung pigment na nagbibigay ng itim na color sa balat, sa feathers, sa beak nila. It's a very rare phenomenon,” he said.

(With reports from GMA Integrated News)