Bird biologist Amy Kearns of Indiana Department of Natural Resources found a fork-tailed flycatcher Tuesday in Daviess County while conducting a survey for another bird. The sighting was extremely unusual because this bird is typically found in Venezuela this time of year and has rarely, if ever, been spotted in Indiana before. Kearns believes that this bird could have ended up in Indiana as a result of its migration route being thrown off by storm systems.

Several avian enthusiasts came to look at this unusual bird, eager for a chance to observe a bit of South American wildlife here in Indiana.

Resources
South American Bird Spotted in Southern Indiana, IndyStar
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Audubon
2014 Wildlife Science Report, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Breeding Birds and Forest Management, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center

Indiana Department of Natural Resources