Vagrancy in Birds

A vagrant bird is an individual that appears in an area well outside of the known range for that species. Several weeks ago, a Carolina wren was ID'ed near Arlee, MT, about 25 miles north of Missoula. Pending acceptance by the Montana Bird Records Committee, this will be the first recorded appearance of this species in Montana, and will grow the Montana bird list to 425 species. The species has previously been recorded for Alberta, and southern WY and SD. These were also very rare sightings. Some may question the significance of such a record, but it is important to track these occurrences so that vagrancy is not confused with the range expansion that is occurring in MT with some other species. High quality photo images of the wren were difficult to get because of low light conditions in the riparian habitat where it was located. But I did manage to get a few!
Last summer, another unusual vagrancy occurred when an Eastern Meadowlark was found in the Madison River Valley just south of Ennis. If this species were to be spotted in MT, it would seem most likely that it would be found along the eastern border with the Dakotas rather than 400 miles to the west. This record is just as or perhaps more unusual than the Carolina wren. In both of these instances, the birds' song was the factor that lead to the initial discovery of the species. While the plumage patterns and colors of the wren are quite distinctive, the eastern Meadowlark appears very much like its eastern counterpart, and so would likely be more easily overlooked if it were not for its distinctive song.

Sightings of rare and/or vagrant bird in MT will continue to spark the interest of dedicated birders. And the "listers" among us will continue to put mileage on their vehicles in the hopes that they can add one more notch to their Montana Bird Lists! That keeps the interest and excitement going in this great avocation.

Happy Birthday Brother Clifford!!