Rare Birds

A number of years ago a Brown-chested Martin, South American species, appeared in Cape May and caused a stampede of birders and photographers. There was so much hype, I chose not to go see it. I had already seen the martin in its home territory where it was somewhat common, so was it really a rarity for me? Well, to see it in New Jersey, of course it was! But I am not a “lister” and did not need it for any list. I chose not to go see a bird so out of its realm that it would eventually die of hunger.

In southern Belize, February 2006, we found a Red-breasted Merganser swimming in one of the shrimp farm ponds — it was a third record for the country. In the early 1990’s Glenn Crawford photographed a Hooded Merganser in Crooked Tree Village, Belize — still the only record for the country. Both birds were rare for Belize, yet common for many parts of North America.

The one rare bird that has stood out in my mind, however, is the near adult Harpy Eagle (pictured at the top of this post) that we saw in Belize during one of our tours in March 2000. The bird had been reported the week before our arrival, and after some discussion with our participants we rearranged our tour to make an effort to re-locate the bird.

With only 100 known nesting pairs throughout their range, Harpy Eagles require 15 square miles of territory and never soar above the forest canopy. It would be the proverbial needle in a haystack. After a pre-dawn departure and eventually a great morning of birding, still no Harpy. We were hopeful, but never expectant. Shortly before returning to our bus for lunch we decided to take one more trail. A tap on my should was followed by the question, “What’s that up on that snag?”

The words were stuck in my throat — eventually coming out… “Harpy Eagle!” For the first time since 1958 (according to Howell & Webb’s Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America) a Harpy Eagle was confirmed in Belize. We watched and photographed the bird for nearly an hour!