Two Mega Rare birds for Rare Bird Month

November rare birds month started slowly. This may not be because of a lack of birds but because of a lack of birders out there to find them.  Then last week two persons, one a visiting birder, reported seeing two megas. 

White-crowned Pigeon

The first one is a White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala), a bird that resembles our Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa) aka Ramier in shape, size, and color, with the major difference being a prominent white-crowned or head.  This bird was seen at the rear entrance of the UWI, Cave Hill.  The first-ever record of this species on the island was on April 9th, 2014 at  Moncrieffe, St. John.

Reddish Egret  - internet image (CC)BY-SA 3.0 

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The second bird, a Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), is even more rarer. If confirmed, this may be a first for the island.  The bird was seen once at Westmoreland, St. James by a visiting birder.  Sadly he was unable to get a photograph of the bird making the job of the regional reviewer much more difficult.  Our Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) can be easily be mistaken for this species.  Both are about the same size and color, with the Egret being a bit larger, with a reddish-brown neck and a more shaggy appearance.  

The local birders will be on the lookout for these two species and encourage you to do the same. If you see a bird that is unfamiliar to you, take a photograph of it, doesn't have to be a perfect image, any image will do.  If the bird is calling or singing, record it on your cell phone. You can share it with us in three ways:

1. You can use the comment section of this post.
2. Share it in The Birds of Barbados Facebook group.
3. or can also email us at one of these email addresses:
• Julian Moore @ 100birdsbarbados@gmail.com
• John Webster @ barbadosbirds@gmail.com
• Ed Massiah @ ebmassiah@hotmail.com

A slow start to November rare birds month but we have two mega-rare sightings to be excited about, and that is great,

Stay safe and enjoy your birding.