Rare Bird Alert: January 25, 2019

For the last couple months, this post has led with the Great Black Hawk (ABA Code 5) in Maine, and this week looks like it will be the last for that bird. Despite looking fairly comfortable in its Portland park, the bird was taken in by rehabbers this past week after it was found on the ground. Evidently it was suffering from some frostbite on its toes, no doubt an ailment never experienced before by a Great Black Hawk. The bird is currently being held at a facility and is recovering well after having part of a toe removed. Its future is yet to be determined.

Other noteworthy ABA Area birds include the Red-flanked Bluetail (4) in California and the White-throated Thrush (4) in Arizona. The Colorado Pink-footed Goose (4), as is a Barnacle Goose (4) in New York. A Fieldfare (4) continues to be seen in British Columbia, as does a Golden-crowned Warbler (4) in Texas.

It’s turning out to be a good winter for vagrant thrushes in the ABA Area, with individuals coming both from the south and from the east. From British Columbia comes the latter, a Dusky Thrush (4) in Nanaimo. This is the province’s 3rd record of this species.

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