Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica), Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico

This female Sungrebe was found and photographed by Sally King on 13 November 2008 on the Marsh Loop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.  Initially misidentified as a juvenile Red-necked Grebe, the photographs were first identified correctly by Steve Fettig on17 November 2008.  The bird was refound on 18 November but has not been seen since. 

Sungrebe is a tropical species that ranges along the Gulf Coast as far north as southern Tamaulipas in Mexico, about 900 miles away from Bosque del Apache.  Many people do not know what to make of this remarkable record.  Initially it seemed most likely that this bird had escaped from captivity because it seems a long way for a bird considered to be a weak flier to stray.  However, zoo curators that were contacted indicated that Sungrebes are not be kept in zoos anywhere in the world (unlike Sunbitterns which are common in zoos) and would be difficult to maintain in captivity.  This information makes it seems unlikely that this bird could be escaped from captivity.  Several people claimed to have good looks at the feet of this bird and they could not see any bands.  Thus, it seems increasingly plausible that this is in fact a wild bird.   

17 November 2008, photos by Sally King

Photos copyright by the photographer