Bird watchers have spotted a rare thrush in Alaska.
The dusky thrush, which is commonly found in Asia, has only been spotted a few times in Alaska, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported . Bird enthusiast Matt Goff reported seeing one Friday in Sitka.
"I don't think it's an uncommon bird in Asia," Goff said. "But in North America -- it's very unusual."
The dusky thrush's appearance differs slightly from that of its North American counterparts. It lacks the bright red or orange breast of a varied thrush, or robin, and has "pale," "distinctive" lines around its eyes, Goff said.
Word of Goff's sighting spread quickly and enthusiasts from all over flocked to the Crescent Harbor in hopes of catching a glimpse.
One out-of-state enthusiast even flew in to see the bird, Goff said. That was Yve Morell, who is on a quest to achieve an American Birding Association Big Year, an informal competition in the birding community to identify the largest number of birds within a year.
"She flew in Saturday night, and saw the bird Sunday, and left at noon," Goff said. "She had been on the East Coast. I think she headed to Texas."
