Brant (Branta bernicla), Bill Williams River NWR, La Paz County

This Brant was discovered and photographed by John West on 20 April 2010 and the Bill Williams Delta. 

Brant is usually strictly coastal and confined to salt water. It is very rare in Arizona with only 12 previous documented reports. It has only been reported twice in the state in the last decade (2005, 2008) before this year.  However, there have been three reports this year alone, the other two in Tucson and Show Low. 

The white neck marking is diagnostic.

20 April 2010, photo by John West

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