...Reading an IN-BIRD (a listserv for birders in Indiana where bird sightings are often posted) titled "Lost bird" in which someone reported a Chukar in Goshen.
...I looked up Chukar in my bird books and online because I wasn't quite sure what it was. Cliff notes: a Chukar is a game bird that somewhat resembles a chicken.. or the native bobwhite quail. Originally from the Middle East, they are now found in various places around the globe. They are used as hunting birds and sometimes escape from captivity. There are actual wild populations of them in the Rocky Mountains, though I'd hesitate to call them "native" there.
...Realization that although this is most likely an escaped bird, it would still be kind of cool to see it. I resolve to respond to the message on IN-BIRD to find out where this bird is... only to have my husband beat me to the punch! Not only is the bird in my hometown, its in my neighborhood! It quite possible has, or will in the future, visited my bird feeders even!
Ben and I went out after dinner and found the bird down the street, literally walking down the street. We actually heard it from a ways off because I heard a call that I definitely didn't recognize! He continued walking down the street and up someone's driveway. It is not shy, reinforcing the escaped bird image. Pretty funny looking. Ben said he saw it running earlier and it is pretty amusing.
Well, I documented it in e-bird, which is an online data recording tool for birds (more about this later, I'm sure). I also responded back to the woman who first posted it, and now here and Facebook. That being said, if anyone wants to see it, feel free to stop by!
