On Monday evening a friend of mine told me he thought he'd seen a rare bird while working ground that afternoon on my Dad's farm in the western part of the county. He described the bird to me in great detail and immediately I thought it was likely a Crested Caracara. I went looking for it that evening but was unable to locate it. I returned yesterday morning and was successful in finding the bird about a half a mile east of it's location the previous day and I managed to get a few photos. There has never been a record of a Crested Caracara in Kansas so with this sighting the state checklist will likely have a new species added in the near future. This is apparently a very good area for rare birds, in September 2006 I found a Vermilion Flycatcher in the same section.
1 year ago
Wonderful find Warren! I reposted this on the ABA rare bird group in facebook.
ReplyDeleteWow, Warren! This is awesome! I've never seen a Crested Caracara before. How fortunate your were to see this rarity. I wonder where it came from??
ReplyDeleteI would guess maybe from Texas, the drought down there may have brought it north to "greener pastures"...
ReplyDeleteI think this is an amazing sighting! I've only seen them in Florida. Nice photo too. :) Is it still hanging around there?
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, unfortunately it flew southwest from the area and we were unable to relocate it...
ReplyDeleteOutstanding occurrence, Warren!! You sure know your birds! I've never heard of it...magnificent looking bird, though! Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteA fabulous find Warren. I photographed one at Viera Wetlands in Florida and was stunned to see that one. The Mexican Vulture. Great shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your nice comments Cindy and Donna...
ReplyDeleteFantastic capture, Warren. Last year I spent an entire day trying to capture a Caracara and did not succeed. Only got a bunch of out-of-focus feathers. What a find :D
ReplyDeleteHello. I compile the Sightings column for American Birding Association's Birding magazine and Winging It newsletter. I'm writing to ask if you'd be willing to let us publish your wonderful photo of Kansas's first Crested Caracara in the upcoming issue.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of your answer, we'd appreciate a response. If your answer is in the affirmative, please attach the photo(s) in an e-mail to me along with your name, the date and location of the photograph, and your home address. If you are sending more than one photo, please send them in separate e-mails. The photo resolution needs to be at least 300 dpi. Please understand that we cannot guarantee that we will certainly be able to use one of your photos.
We always strive to give the correct photo credit to every photographer, and your naming of the file can help in this matter. Please include your name, the name of the bird, and the date and location in the file name.
As always, the American Birding Association appreciates your efforts to support us with your images. If you're not an ABA member, we'd like to offer you a free year's membership. If you are a member, let us know, and we'll find another way to compensate you.
Thank you!
Amy Davis
Sightings Department Editor, Birding and Winging It
American Birding Association
ARGDavis@gmail.com