Migaloo the very famous white humpback that is seen around Australian waters on its annual migration north may not be the only white humpback whale visiting Australian shores.

Another white whale has been spotted off the coast of Byron Bay in northern New South Wales, although unlike Migaloo who is totally white this recent animal has black patches near its head and tail and some black blotches.

White whales are rare and others with light colouring have been seen recently but researchers are not not ruling out the white whale seen a few days back being related to Migaloo. However no one will ever know unless a genetic analysis is carried out. There were a number of reports last year that mothers were bringing some very white calves into Hervey Bay on their southern migration so perhaps it's one of those and it's the first time it's come back .

Migaloo was first spotted over five years ago but has not been sighted at this point in time.