White Headed Marsh Tyrant spotted in New York State?? (1 Viewer)

[Sarah East]

I have been a birdwatcher for over 20 years so when I saw a bird I had never seen before it definitely caught my interest. I moved to the Catskills region of upstate New York about 5 years ago so I thought maybe it was something familiar in this area that I hadn't seen. But I couldn't find anything like it in my Eastern Birds book of North America nor in my Norther American Sibley birds book. The only thing that looked anything like it was a male white headed marsh tyrant. We did have some extremely powerful winds here over the last few days so I am wondering if it's possible that the bird got blown off course and ended up here?

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there Sarah and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like.

I miss the Catskills. We had a summer home up there growing up.
See if you can keep a camera or phone handy so you can get a pic of it if it shows up again. Fingers crossed for you

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello Sarah and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, welcome to the forum. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group. Sorry, can’t help with your question.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Sarah and a warm welcome from me too.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[Jim M.]

I have been a birdwatcher for over 20 years so when I saw a bird I had never seen before it definitely caught my interest. I moved to the Catskills region of upstate New York about 5 years ago so I thought maybe it was something familiar in this area that I hadn't seen. But I couldn't find anything like it in my Eastern Birds book of North America nor in my Norther American Sibley birds book. The only thing that looked anything like it was a male white headed marsh tyrant. We did have some extremely powerful winds here over the last few days so I am wondering if it's possible that the bird got blown off course and ended up here?

It's almost certainly a leucistic bird, i.e. a common bird with abnormal partially white plumage. These are rare but several show up every year.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Indeed. Funnily enough yesterday here on Wirral, UK, I saw a male Blackbird with a white head singing on territory.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola Sarah! Welcome to Birdforum