Comments on: Accidental Avian Tourists

By: DWA

DWA — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:26:03 +0000

Right from the others about peacocks. I remember hearing that distinctive call while on a backpacking trip in Virginia. I went holy….but then realized that the trail was passing somewhat close to civilization at that point, and I was probably hearing a pet.

By: Munnin

Munnin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:26:42 +0000

3 or 4 years ago, I spotted what I am certain was an Emperor goose, amongst a flock of Canada geese in the pond of one of our local parks in Petaluma, California. I observed it for the better part of an hour, sometimes at fairly close range - fewer than 50 feet away. I’d already seen a single Ross’s Goose associating with a group of Canada Geese in the same location, twice in previous years. Before calling the sighting in to the Audubon rare bird alert, I checked to see if the Emperor goose had ever been seen in the area before. Sure enough, there was a confirmed sighting a few miles West, in Bodega Bay, back in 1996. Discovering “accidentals” while looking for more expected birds is really exciting fun for me. Then again, some of my friends consider me the nerdiest of us all due to my birdwatching proclivities. But I see that as a badge of honor, LOL!

By: tropicalwolf

tropicalwolf — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:11:15 +0000

There is not much worse than reading through an article and having a great comment to leave only to find someone else already beat you to it. This time, that “not-so-stray-cat” Kittenz beat me to the punch. I totally agree, since I too raise exotic and domestic birds.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:29:26 +0000

All but the peacock are probably true accidentals. The peacock is probably a stray pet. Thousands of people have peacocks and other exotic pheasants, and not just on farms. They are very, very popular. I have had a couple of them myself. You can buy them from almost any poultry hatchery.