EXPLORING NATURE: SIGHTINGS

Around my place, a goldenfronted woodpecker is showing up to peck at a hanging suet block. But another bird watcher near me has reported a more unusual visitor.

David Glenn saw a chukar at his hill-top home in Wimberley. A chukar is a Eurasian partridge whose preferred habitat is rocky desert canyons. It is almost 14 inches long, has a 20-inch wingspan and weighs about a pound. It is larger than a quail, is pale gray and has a short tail. It also has a red bill and legs.

What’s a chukar doing in the hill country of Texas? Well, chances are it was released at a game ranch for hunters to flush out and shoot. But this one escaped and is touring the hills.

It has a lot of company in terms of unusual birds showing up in our state. A Canada goose was recently seen in Austin’s Zilker Park, a Grace’s warbler was seen in Bastrop and a red knot was identified on South Padre Island.

I am reminded of the Egyptian goose that showed up some years ago at a Wimberley golf course and was eventually spotted at various locales in San Marcos. He really got around.

So keep an eye out. You just might spot a chukar, a resplendent quetzal or a Eurasian wigeon – but even a golden-fronted woodpecker is a most handsome bird. Good luck.