JODHPUR, Jan. 1 -- Researchers in the Aravalli Hills of Ajmer district have reported a rare and previously unrecorded colour abnormality in the Common Woodshrike, a bird species widespread across the Indian subcontinent. The observation was published in the International Research Journal of Biological Sciences. The study was conducted by Saba Khan and Muskan Singh from the department of zoology and the department of environmental science at Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer. According to the researchers, "The Common Woodshrike is a small passerine bird widespread in the Indian subcontinent, typically displaying dull grey-brown upperparts with darker streaking and paler underparts." On June 29, 2025, a Common Woodshrike with distinctive pale plumage was sighted at the base of the Aravalli hills in Ajmer district. The landscape comprises a dry deciduous woodland region. The Common Woodshrike was loudly calling when first sighted. Field observations were conducted with binoculars and a high-zoom camera. Researchers said, "This is the first documentation of a Common Woodshrike with aberrant white feathers... there are no previous reports of colour aberration in the Common Woodshrike. The observed plumage characteristics strongly suggest a case of brown aberration, rather than other forms such as leucism or albinism. Brown aberration is specifically linked to reduced eumelanin, giving feathers a faded brown tone. This kind of aberration may stem from a recessive genetic mutation affecting melanin synthesis pathways. While this condition does not appear to impact the bird's survival or behaviour directly, it may influence social dynamics, mate selection or camouflage efficiency. Reports of brown aberration are uncommon, especially in non-migratory or under-studied species."...