India, Jan. 27 -- A rare white Mallard was spotted at the Satajan wetland in Assam's North Lakhimpur district, a sighting that has drawn attention from birdwatchers, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts across the region.

The white Mallard is an extremely rare genetic variant of the common Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), caused by a condition known as leucism, which results in a partial or complete loss of pigmentation. Unlike albino birds, leucistic birds retain normal eye colour but lack melanin in their feathers, making such sightings exceptionally uncommon in the wild.

The bird was sighted on January 26 by Palash Pratim Saikia, an avid birdwatcher from North Lakhimpur, during his regular morning observation at the Satajan wetland...