DALLAS, TEXAS — The big news in Texas this week is the discovery of a Fan-tailed Warbler (Euthlypis lachrymosa) in Big Bend National Park. The species, native to Mexico and Central America, has been reported from Texas before but never documented with a photograph or other evidence. The newly reported bird has not been photographed either.

From Eric Carpenter’s report:

Maggie Burnett and I were in Pine Canyon and returning down-canyon from the pouroff last evening (13 Aug) around 6.30pm when we came across 2 Virginia’s Warblers. While attempting to bring these birds in, I did some pygmy-owl imitations, which resulting in attracting the attention of a nice small swarm of birds, including a Blue-throated Hummingbird, many titmice, Western Tanager, W. Wood Pewee and others. Amongst these was the Fan-tailed Warbler which appeared at about eye-level for less than 10 seconds at about 15-20 yards in unobstructed view. I knew almost immediately what this bird was as I could clearly see its eye crescents, white dot between the eye & bill, yellow breast, and long graduated tail with white tips. I turned to get my camera out of my backpack and we could never relocate the bird despite 40 minutes of searching.

Continue reading more info on Pine Canyon Fan-tailed Warbler.

Given that the bird is difficult to find, in a part of the park that’s difficult to access, that Big Bend is 12 hours from Dallas, that I have to work, and that we’re in a stretch of 100-degree days (sooo hot!), I don’t think I’ll be jumping in the car to chase the bird. Sad day.

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