Brant (Branta bernicla), Long Lake, east of Show Low, AZ, Navajo County

This Brant was discovered and photographed by Justin Streit on 20 April 2010. 

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 Bill Williams. 

The photos are just good enough to make out the black breast, head and neck and the diagnostic white neck marking.  The two birds on the left in the first photo are American Avocets. 

20 April 2010, photo by Justin Streit

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