Kansas logs first sighting of tropical piratic flycatcher

[Omaha Steve]

X post in LBN & GD

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7155d85f10347d28ff3717dfd9ecf4d/kansas-logs-first-sighting-tropical-piratic-flycatcher

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A small bird that's typically found hundreds of miles away in Mexico and South America apparently made its way to western Kansas, watchers say, giving the Sunflower State a couple of possible firsts in the birding world.

The piratic flycatcher, a migratory bird that nests as far away as Argentina, has been seen as far north as New Mexico, Texas and Florida. But it never had been reported in Kansas until earlier this month, said Mike Rader, wildlife education coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

If the May 8 sighting at Scott State Park by Chris Lituma, a research associate at the University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture, is confirmed by the Kansas Bird Records Committee of the Kansas Ornithological Society, it would be the most northerly sighting of the bird, Rader said.

"Any time we are able to add a new species to the state checklist, it's exciting for the bird-watching community, especially one like this," said Rader, who also saw the flycatcher two days later. "If you're going to see it in Kansas, don't wait for the second one, cause you'll never see it.

FULL story at link.



This undated photo provided by Scott Seltman shows a piratic flycatcher. The piratic flycatcher, a migratory bird that nests as far away as Argentina, has been seen as far north as New Mexico, Texas and Florida. But it never had been reported in Kansas until earlier this month, said Mike Rader, wildlife education coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. (Scott Seltman via AP)



This undated photo provided by Scott Seltman shows a piratic flycatcher. The piratic flycatcher, a migratory bird that nests as far away as Argentina, has been seen as far north as New Mexico, Texas and Florida. But it never had been reported in Kansas until earlier this month, said Mike Rader, wildlife education coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. (Scott Seltman via AP)

[dbackjon]

1. Beautiful bird - wish I could have seen it.