I found this bird wandering around my yard today but don't have any idea what it is. Any bird watchers or bird experts out there who might know?
Here's another angle:
It's got to be about 18 inches long I think.
Update: It is a Yellow Golden Pheasant. Thanks to Facebook friend Jackie who pointed me in the pheasant direction. The Yellow Golden Pheasant is a color mutation from the Golden Pheasant, which is native to Western China. In the US they are raised in captivity, so someone nearby must have been breeding them and this guy managed to get away.
I am going to contact the Michigan DNR to let them know he is out in the wild. I don't know if they will care or if they can even do anything now, but from what I read the DNR needs to know before this bird is released.
Comments (12)
My brother's an avid birder... (Below threshold)1. Posted by RB | May 21, 2009 9:30 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
My brother's an avid birder...I've sent the photo to him for ID. Stay tuned...
1. Posted by RB | May 21, 2009 9:30 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 21:30
2. Posted by mpw280 | May 21, 2009 9:39 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
chinese ditch parrot? Looks like some kind of yellow pheasant but the head is wrong. You don't live close to Cherynoble do you? Other than that I would say someone is going to be looking for some kind of exotic pet that went awol. mpw
2. Posted by mpw280 | May 21, 2009 9:39 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 21:39
3. Posted by 914 | May 21, 2009 9:54 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I would guess a pink flamingo chickenhawk?
3. Posted by 914 | May 21, 2009 9:54 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 21:54
4. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 9:57 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The body is similar to a parrot.
This is similar but smaller.
http://www.parrotparrot.com/lovebirds/fischers.htm
4. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 9:57 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 21:57
5. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:03 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Kim,
You might send an inquiry and photos to
www.audubon.com
That looks as though it might be a rare bird.
5. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:03 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 22:03
6. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:11 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Kim,
My husband says the bird is some kind
of falcon.
6. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:11 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 22:11
7. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kim,
http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/view.php?tid=1&did=3738
7. Posted by maggie | May 21, 2009 10:23 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 22:23
8. Posted by glenn | May 21, 2009 11:25 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pheasant huh, time to make polenta.
8. Posted by glenn | May 21, 2009 11:25 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2009 23:25
9. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2009 3:14 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
It looks as clueless as the birdbrain in the oval office. Therefore it must be a CUCKOO bird?
9. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2009 3:14 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2009 03:14
10. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | May 22, 2009 7:33 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
In Texas non-native species like that can be shot out of season with no limit. Like Eurasian collared dove, for example. We call them bonus birds.
Time to break out the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie Oven.
10. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | May 22, 2009 7:33 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2009 07:33
11. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2009 10:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Is this the caption of the week?
There is not enough meat on that bird to make a corndog. Put the Ronco back in storage Baron.
ha ha
11. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2009 10:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2009 10:33
12. Posted by James H | May 22, 2009 10:33 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
No bird like the pheasant ...
12. Posted by James H | May 22, 2009 10:33 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2009 10:33