Interesting news for bird enthusiasts all over: An unusual pink waterbird was just recently spotted hanging out in Wisconsin, far away from its native habitat. The bird, which was determined as a roseate spoonbill, hasn’t been seen in the area in 178 years, Smithsonian Publication reports.
The amazing bird is known for its beautiful pastel pink coloring and broad, flat beak. Its stunning look attracted the attention of Wisconsinites today, making it the very first time anyone has actually reported seeing a living roseate spoonbill in the location. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, a dead roseate spoonbill was discovered in the state’s Rock County in 1845– which indicates that the waterbird hasn’t been found in Wisconsin in well over a century.
Some Wisconsin natives have actually even traveled to observe the avian while it’s still in the Badger State. “Rare bird alert!” one resident published on Twitter. “After receiving a tip from a couple of birding good friends my husband and I were able to observe and photograph a Roseate Spoonbill in Green Bay, Wisconsin.”
It’s not a surprise that lots of ornithophiles want to get a closer look of the roseate spoonbill– identifying one in this locale is extremely unusual. The birds normally reside in warmer southern environments along the Gulf of Mexico, like southeast Florida and southwest Texas, Smithsonian Magazine reports.
It’s uncertain how the bird ended up in Wisconsin, but it’s possible that harsh weather could have pushed it away from its favored environment. The waterbird has actually been spending its time alongside other waterbirds at the Ken Euers Nature Area and the Cat Island repair area in Green Bay, Wis.
