Updated: Saturday November 17, 2007

"Black" Brant images from Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX.

Erik Breden
Andrews, TX
erik.breden@otterside.com

DOCUMENTATION: On Saturday, November 3, 2007, at approximately 2 pm CST, I observed a "Pacific" or "Black" Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) at Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX (Andrews County).

After observing the bird for 10-15 minutes, I returned to my house (fortunately, just across the street from the park) to get my camera. I spent another 20-30 minutes photographing the bird, and then returned to my house to put an alert on TexBirds. I posted the photographs within the hour.

Later that day, I took my wife over to see the bird. A young boy who was fishing at lake saw us looking at the bird, and told us he had seen the bird for a "few days" before 11/03. He said he had noticed it because it was "different" from any of the Mallard/Muscovy/domestic ducks and geese usually present. Perhaps we have a budding birder?

I subsequently observed the bird daily from 11/04-11/12.

The bird was found dead on Tuesday 11/13. I collected the specimen and stored it in a freezer for several days until arrangements could be made to send it to Dr. Keith Arnold for inclusion in the Texas A&M collection.

A total of 24 additional people came to see the bird during 11/03-11/12. Several have submitted details to the TBRC (Texas Birds Records Committee). Thank you!

Be sure to check out Carolyn Ohl-Johnson's Brant Movie Clip which was recorded 11/10.

DESCRIPTION: The bird was a small dark goose, which stood out from the domestic ducks/geese usually present. The following details were observed:

• the bird was approximately the size of a Mallard
• the bird was dusky overall with white edges on the feathers of the folded wing (indicating that this was a"hatch year" bird still in juvenal plumage)
• the bird had a black head, neck, breast, extending to belly
• the bird had a smudgy gray patch on sides and front of its upper neck
• the bird had black eyes, bill, legs, and feet
• the bird fed CONSTANTLY on the grass in the picnic area of the park
• the bird's VORACIOUS appetite was noted by me and others every day until the bird was found dead
• the bird went to the lake to drink and/or swim away from people who got too close
• the bird did not associate with the domestic waterfowl flock or people feeding them

"Black" Brant Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX

"Black" Brant Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX

"Black" Brant Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX

"Black" Brant Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX

"Black" Brant Lakeside Park, Andrews, TX