Rare Bird Alert: April 12, 2019

Spring migration is here in a big way, and the listservs are buzzing with early season migrants and FOYs galore. There were still rarities to find though, both continuing and new birds, and Texas continues to lead the pack in the former with a long-staying Crimson-collared Grosbeak (ABA Code 4) and the recent arrival of Tamaulipas Crows (4). In California, a Blue-footed Booby (4) continues to be seen more often than not on the Farallon Islands when birders get out there.

We’ll lead off with Texas with new birds as well, as at least two Rose-throated Becards (3) are being seen in Hidalgo, in the Valley. One bird at Quinta Mazatlan and another at Estero Llano Grande, where they have become somewhat regular in recent years.

For the second week in a row, Florida can report a Key West Quail-Dove (4), this time in Broward. One hopes this one sticks around longer than last weeks, though this species is notoriously sneaky.

Elsewhere in the east, eastern Canada has seen some exciting goose action of late, with a Barnacle Goose (4) in Montérégie, Quebec, and a Pink-footed Goose (4) near Ottawa, Ontario.

Likewise, the northern Great Plains have been good for unusual gulls lately, with a Mew Gull at Discovery Island, South Dakota, and a young California Gull in Lancaster, Nebraska.

Noteworthy for Colorado, a Great Black-backed Gull was photographed in Weld. 

Arizona had a pair of Elegant Terns in Cochise. 

And in Oregon, a California Thrasher was seen by many birders as it sang in Jackson. 

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Omissions and errors are not intended, but if you find any please message blog AT aba.org and I will try to fix them as soon as possible. This post is meant to be an account of the most recently reported birds. Continuing birds not mentioned are likely included in previous editions listed here. Place names written in italics refer to counties/parishes.

Readers should note that none of these reports has yet been vetted by a records committee. All birders are urged to submit documentation of rare sightings to the appropriate state or provincial committees. For full analysis of these and other bird observations, subscribe to North American Birds  aba.org/nab>, the richly illustrated journal of ornithological record published by the ABA.

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