ML641996307

Observation details

Absolutely, mindblowingly ridiculous megararity and pending first state record. A magnificent redemption opportunity for all of New York after the high-profile flamingo invasion brought on by Hurricane Idalia in late 2023 passed us by without any confirmed, chaseable sightings. Presumably the many displaced birds that flocked up in Florida during the winter may be starting to move around again with the warming weather, producing a fresh crop of extralimital sightings. This individual was first discovered at this site on Friday by local resident Cathy Blinken, who passed word on to the birding community and opened the floodgates. When we arrived on the scene just ahead of sunrise, the bird was not being seen, resulting in some understandable anxiety. After about half an hour of searching, TH spotted an incongruously massive yet slender bird approaching from the beachfront. When it turned slightly, revealing its preposterously spindly neck and legs and confirming that the rosy blush of its plumage was not a trick of the light, an ecstatic callout of “There it is! It’s COMING!!!” quickly followed, to the glee of the assembled crowd. The flamingo made a close pass and settled in the shallows near some swans, looking comically slight in comparison despite towering over them. Appeared to be a near adult individual, with rich pink hue over much of the body, crimson-stained coverts, and striking black flight feathers. Peculiar, bent bill distinctive, used to strain for food in the pool in conjunction with constantly pumping leg action to stir up sediment from the substrate. Impossibly noodly in flight, so long and thin and attenuated that it truly needs to be seen to be believed. A genuinely incredible experience, and such a treat to share it with a substantial crew of good friends. We’ve seen a _flamingo_ in _New York_. Magical stuff