November 13, 2005
New Species Reported, Second Time This Year!
A Master Naturalist has reported yet another new species on the Colorado Plateau, only months after a wolf-bluebird hybrid was reported on this blog (New Wolf-Bluebird Hybrid). No type specimen has yet been collected, although the MN reports that they have been able to provide a description from the flurry of drawings provided by local residents.
"This sort of thing happens to wildlife biologists all the time, where locals are familiar with a species as yet unknown to science," said the discoverer, who wishes to remain anonymous until publication. "I just didn't expect it to happen here, with all the professional, academic, and avocational birders around. I guess you just have to keep your eyes open."
The new bird appears to be a member of the family Phasianidae, although until a type specimen is collected, it will remain a question mark. The new bird has most of the hallmarks of the wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, although the coloration shows fantastic variation by comparison. In addition, virtually all sightings report a cockscomb-like outgrowth or appendage on the head that looks like a Puritan's hat, an adaptation that should make it easier to distinguish from M. gallopavo. Additional reports of white bonnet-like growths in the same naso-cranial location suggest a sexual dimorphism of unknown degree.
As is often the case, once recognized, many more observations are recognized as the same animal. In fact, it now appears that the range for this new type turkey is far beyond Arizona, and even beyond that of M. gallopavo. It appears to be a seasonal visitor in late autumn, with peak observations in November. As most members of Phasianidae are relatively weak flyers, the idea of an unknown migratory destination of any great distance seems unlikely. The collected observations indicate a bird with singular aerodynamic impediments.
Happy Thanksgiving!