Rare Southern Bird Spotted Somewhere Unexpected and It's Turning Heads
You've probably heard the saying that birds fly south for the winter. Well, this spring, birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts in the West have reason to be excited because a rare bird was spotted in Arvada, Colorado. 9NEWS reported that an American White Ibis was seen wandering around a retention pond in the area, and this isn't the region where this bird is usually found.
"It is very rare, but not extremely rare," said Peter Gent, chairman of the Colorado Bird Records Committee, in an interview with 9NEWS. What a sight to see! The White Ibis is a pretty stunning bird with its vibrant red curved bill and legs, white feathers, and black wing tips. No wonder this feathery friend is turning heads.
To give a bit more context on why seeing this bird is so rare, Gent explained that there have been 14 sightings of the White Ibis in Colorado, with the first in 1985. Since 2017, five of those sightings have been recorded. So, it's still pretty uncommon to catch a glimpse of one regularly, but they are reporting more sightings of birds that aren't native to the region.
What Is the White Ibis' Natural Habitat?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the White Ibis typically lives in wetland areas, swamps, or marshes, such as Florida and other southeastern and Gulf Coast states. The National Audubon Society notes that these are ideal feeding grounds since they eat fish, crabs, frogs, insects, and other prey.
The FWC also states that, as with many bird species, habitat loss due to human development has been a challenge for the White Ibis. There's a chance we may continue to see them pop up in more unexpected places as time goes on.
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Gent believes climate may be a factor in why the White Ibis showed up in Colorado. He suspected, "It's been so warm that species are coming back earlier than normal this spring… It's part of a trend, I think, of southern birds being seen with more frequency in the state."
But spring weather can be unpredictable, and Gent mentions a cold snap may be coming to Arvada, Colorado. So what does that mean for this White Ibis? "If this was an extended cold spell, then I think the bird might decide it had enough and try to go south," Gent surmised, but he predicts that this bird will stick it out. Let's hope so. There are probably plenty of birdwatchers who may want to get a peek at this beautiful White Ibis!
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 6:20 AM.