Band Tailed Pigeon In Wisconsin!

[TAWhatley]

http://www.adelphia.net/news/read.ph...INWC04L3_UNEWS


West Coast Pigeon Finds Home in Wisconsin
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 10:11 PM EDT
The Associated Press


ROBERTS, Wis. (AP) — A pigeon native to the West Coast has taken roost in western Wisconsin and caused somewhat of a stir among birdwatchers in the state.

The band-tailed pigeon may have flown more than 1,000 miles to Jay Agger's home in St. Croix County. Agger first noticed him late last year.

It's only the second recorded visit by a band-tailed pigeon to Wisconsin — only one person saw the first pigeon before it took off from Waushara County.

Now birders are driving to Agger's home to catch a glimpse of the band-tailed pigeon, North America's largest pigeon.

"It was exciting," said Daryl Tessen, a retired schoolteacher living in Appleton who made a trip to Agger's home. "This is a rare bird. Any time you see a rare bird in the state, it's thrilling and exciting."

Bob Domagalski, who keeps bird sighting records for Wisconsin, woke up at 1 a.m. one Sunday and headed for Agger's home with three other birders. They arrived at 7 a.m., and the pigeon showed up for breakfast outside Agger's window 15 minutes later.

"We were all really thrilled to be able to see it. Oftentimes you make a long trip like that and come away empty-handed," said Domagalski, of Menomonee Falls and a member of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. "It's a bird that is not that difficult to see in California. In fact, all of the people in the car had seen it before in California, but it's very seldom seen east of the Sierra Nevadas."

No one knows how the bird got to Wisconsin. Noel Cutright, past president of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, said storms can push birds off course, and birds sometimes just lose their way.

Agger, who has been feeding birds in his backyard for 22 years, was surprised to see the bird. He didn't know what it was, so he took photos of it and asked the owner of a bird feed store what it was.

The owner, Ed Colosky, didn't know either. He e-mailed a friend, who figured out it was a band-tailed pigeon. Word of the wayward bird got out to Wisconsin birders last month.

"These people are traveling five hours, six hours (one way), leaving early in the morning just to come to my house," Agger said.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

Now birders are driving to Agger's home to catch a glimpse of the band-tailed pigeon, North America's largest pigeon - NEXT TO THE GIANT RUNT!!!!

Hey Terry,

Great story, thanks! It is always interesting to read and hear about birds that go off course or that are found in places that they aren't normally seen.

It's funny you mention this today as I saw a Turkey Vulture soaring high in the late morning skies today above my neighbourhood These birds aren't exactly "new" to the area, but have been expanding their territory and range over the last several years. 10 years ago, they were rare if ever seen here, now...they are almost common. In fact, they have extended their range to as far north as North Bay, Ontario in recent years. This is approximately a 3-4 hours drive north of where I am, 300-400kms north

[Avalona Birdy]

Wowza! That must have been quite interesting for the guy to meet up with that pigeon! That reminds me........whitewing doves have been expanding their territory around here, and this is only the first or second year that they have been around where I live. It sure surprised ME when these huge flocks of unknown doves were landing all around my house!