Game birds are becoming few and far between in Seattle. Certainly Ring-necked Pheasant and California Quail were both extirpated from Discovery Park several years ago I believe. So it was with some pleasure while I was driving across the park to work in a remote habitat restoration site, I saw a small quail-like bird walking down the road ahead of me. They are back I said to myself expecting a CAQA. Getting to within about ten feet, I was shocked to see that the bird was actually a CHUKAR. Bright orange-red bill, bold slightly crescent-shaped black bands on the flanks. It flushed and flew with a surprisingly swift and direct flight, about fifty yards into a neighboring field. Was able to see a rusty vermilion band across the end of the tail feathers, a field mark I don't think I have ever noticed before. I was not able to relocate it, though I did flush a Mourning Dove in the process.

As this bird would be my 222nd species recorded in Discovery Park, you can imagine that I have been taking a strong interest! Gene Hunn does not record Chukar in his King County book and I doubt that the Wash Breeding Bird Atlas records any nearby populations. It certainly flushed like a wild bird. But I am wondering if any of those people who keep chickens on their parking strips or in the backyard have gotten hold of such birds as quail or chukar. Any comments? Tweets. David

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David Hutchinson, Owner
Flora & Fauna: Nature Books
Discovery Gardens: Native Plants
GSP Forest Restoration Steward
Discovery Park
3213 West Wheeler St., #6
Seattle,WA 98199