Big Ugly wrote in post #18259440
A Chukar, native to Iran/Pakistan region and introduced to the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. This one was in my backyard, Long Island, NY. I can't discount the possibility it is a local domestic bird, but I have never seen any others. No leg band.

Hosted photo: posted by Big Ugly in ./showthread.php?p=182​59440&i=i48486422 forum: Birds

Chukars are introduced birds, just like pheasants. They are not what I would consider rare or uncommon. They have adapted quite well and are, I believe, valuable game birds for hunters.

I am well aware they have been introduced to the western U.S. It says so in my post. They may not be rare or uncommon where you are, however they certainly are rare where I am. Isn't that the point of this thread you started? Your "rare" Northern Mockingbird is a dime a dozen in the northeast.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18256515
Saw this Eurasian widgeon male at Dawson Creek Park in Hillsboro, OR. It is not super rare but kinda unusual.

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Rkgb​5q]Eurasian Widgeon Male by Scrumhalf, on Flickr

Fascinating pattern to study.

From All About Birds: "The Greater Pewee makes its way into the United States only in the "Mexican" mountains of southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. "
Greater Pewee photographed today (1/30/2017) in Houston,TX. We have had this bird returning to a park near my house each winter for the last 5-6 years.

HOSTED PHOTO please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Big Ugly wrote in post #18259708
I am well aware they have been introduced to the western U.S. It says so in my post. They may not be rare or uncommon where you are, however they certainly are rare where I am. Isn't that the point of this thread you started? Your "rare" Northern Mockingbird is a dime a dozen in the northeast.

Geez, somebody got out on the wrong side of the bed today. Sorry, no need to get snippy. I didn't realize my comment was so offensive to you. Apologies.

Blue Rock Thrush

One of the most rarest birds seen in the UK for some time. Last one was seen 10 years ago. It is probably the most famous and most photographed bird in England having now over 3,000 people go see it.

After an 80 mile drive on a sunny cold January morning I arrived at the small village of Stow-on-the-Wold where there was unexpected thick fog. I waited for over 3 hours and eventually the fog started to lift but light conditions remained poor.

So, not one of the best photographs but managed to get a few decent shots, it was worth the journey.

See BBC News Story…
http://www.bbc.co.uk ...-gloucestershire-38459448

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://www.flickr.com ...930/in/dateposted-friend/]

Blue Rock-Thrush

Probably this year's most photographed bird here in Victoria, Australia. Buff Breasted Sandpiper, or Buffy as it is affectionately known locally. Last recorded sighting in Victoria was in the early 1990's, and only a handful in total since first seen in 1962.

Buffy 'should' be in Chile now but took a right hand turn and flew down the Eastern Asian and Australian Flyways instead of turning left and flying down the North American Flyway.

Seen here with two Red Necked Stints

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Ro75​fD]

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Pq7W​m5]

Offensive? Nah. Condescending? Maybe just a little. Thanks for the "apology".

Blackbird

I've seen it twice now on my patch,....I've seen a few patchy white blackbirds but this is 100% pure white.

I informed the RSPB and was told that it is leucistic, and not an albino It has a genetic mutation that prevents pigments from being deposited normally in its feathers. They said it is very rare as the mother blackbird would usually throw it out of the nest and they are very unlikely to survive as they are very vulnerable to predators, because of their bright white plumage.

I've been photographing birds for 20+ years and it's the 1st I've ever seen....It's funny because in the same week I saw a pure white lapwing amongst 100+ other lapwings in a field very far out only visible through binoculars.

NOT SO GOOD photo's as it was very far away and the photo's are heavily cropped.

Photo from PCousins's gallery.

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://www.flickr.com ...164/in/dateposted-friend/]

White Blackbird

These are great bustards very rare in the UK. This is from near their release site, I had to crop a bit which is why it is not 100% sharp.

[IMAGE'S LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Qj7c​5V]

This Buff-breasted Sandpiper fetched up yesterday on an airfield not too far away. A few of these American birds make it across the Atlantic every autumn. They were once classed as rare vagrants, but have become regular enough in recent years to be "demoted" to the status of scarce migrants. They are still pretty rare in the UK though.

HOSTED PHOTO please log in to view hosted photos in full size.