Rare Bird Visitor to Indiana

Birders in Indiana have gotten a rare treat this month near Bloomington. According to WishTV8.com, a roseate spoonbill – a large wading bird related to ibises – has been seen at the 8,400 acre Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. The species is normally found in the Caribbean, along the Gulf Coast and in southern Florida, and while it has been spotted outside its normal habitat previously, this is the bird’s first recorded appearance in Indiana.

More than 250 species of birds have been sighted at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in the past decade, and efforts are underway to continue the restoration and protection of this important wetland habitat. Birders who understand the importance of conservation can help with conservation initiatives to ensure that these sightings of rare and beautiful birds continue, not only in Indiana but throughout the world.

Roseate Spoonbill
Photo © Kashyap Hosdurga