A blackbird which has been steadily shedding its black feathers for white ones, has been pictured in a Nottinghamshire country park.

The unusual-looking bird is leucistic, meaning it as a genetic mutation that prevents pigments from being deposited normally in its feathers, the BBC reported.

The animal’s transformation has been observed over the past four years by bird watchers at Rufford Abbey Country Park.

Site manager John Clegg said: “This bird has been steadily turning whiter over the years and last summer it was completely white.

“It has been quite a character at the park in recent years.”

Leucistic birds usually sport some colouration in their plumage, making this fellow – who has none - especially rare.

A national survey of birds with unusual colourings found increasing numbers of birds with unusual white feathers are being spotted in British gardens.

The BTO Abnormal Plumage Society has clocked up nearly 700 sightings in less than a month – three quarters of which were birds with leucism, and nearly half of which were blackbirds, the Mirror reported.