Brant (Branta bernicla), Willcox Big Pond, Cochise County

This Brant was discovered and photographed by Peter Dedicoat on 29 April 2008 at the Big Pond in Willcox.  Unfortunately, it was apparently only present that day. 

Brant is usually strictly coastal and confined to salt water.  It is very rare in Arizona with only about 10 previous records.  It has only been previously reported twice in the state in the last decade (1998, 2005). 

The white neck marking clearly seen in the photos is diagnostic.  Enough of the black underparts can be seen to confirm that this is the Pacific subspecies, "Black" Brant, as are all previous records for Arizona.

Brant is an ABC Review Species.  Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

29 April 2008, photos by Peter Dedicoat