Rare Tropical Bird Found in Maine After Being Blown Off Course

Several tropical birds that strayed far from their normal habitat, known to ornithologists as “vagrants”, made an unexpected appearance in New England over the holidays.

According to the Kennebec Journal,Three purple gallinules, a brightly colored wetland species normally found in the Caribbean, the southern United States, and parts of South America, were rescued in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine after turning up far outside their usual range.

The Kennebec Journal reported that one of the birds was discovered in Houlton, where it was first taken to the local humane society before being transferred to Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation on Dec. 15, and later moved to Avian Haven in Freedom.

The species typically doesn’t migrate farther north than Florida in winter, and rarely past South Carolina in summer. Still, a handful of sightings have been recorded as far away as Europe over the past 15 years, thanks to the species’ strong flying ability.

According to Doug Hitchcox, staff naturalist at Maine Audubon, purple gallinules are capable of long-distance flights, and the birds found in New England were likely blown off course by unexpected winds. Exactly why vagrant birds take such unusual routes remains a mystery, though factors such as climate change and shifting food availability may play a role.

The gallinule rescued in Houlton initially appeared to be in good condition, said Avery Berkowitz, veterinarian and executive director of Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation. Within a few days, however, it became clear that one of the bird’s legs had been badly damaged by exposure to the cold, and it was humanely euthanized on Dec. 20 or 21.

The KJ reported that the other two rescued gallinules, now in the care of the New England Wildlife Center, are healthy and expected to be flown back to their native habitat once weather conditions allow, said assistant director Nina Bellotti-Flaherty.

Purple gallinules have a long history of surprising scientists with their wandering flights. The species has turned up everywhere from northeastern Canada and the western United States to South Georgia Island near Antarctica. In 2013 and 2014, individual birds were even documented in Portugal, Ireland, and Iceland.