Date: 10/13/26 10:06 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Gray-headed Swamp hen reported: Dare Co.
As the unofficial "keeper" of the North Carolina bird list, I do want to
comment on the Gray-headed Swamphen (*Porphyrio poliocephalus*) and its
status in the ABA Area. This is an Old World species, but there has been an
introduced population in central and southern Florida for several decades.
I have seen birds in the Fort Lauderdale area. From Google --
*Native Range:* Spans the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern
China, and northern Thailand. *Invasive Presence:* Established in parts of
southern and central Florida following captive escapes in the late 1990s,
where it inhabits freshwater marshes, retention ponds, and agricultural
ditches.
So,* is it countable on your ABA List and/or North Carolina list,*
according to the ABA (American Birding Association). Indeed, it is listed
on Page 5 of the 2026 ABA Checklist. Here is what they say about
introduced species that can be counted:
"1. an individual of the species were encountered during the time when the
species was present on the main *Checklist*, and
2. the encountered individual belonged to, or strayed from, a population
believed to be established at the time of the encounter"
Thus, if you or the NC Bird Records Committee deems that this individual
strayed north from its established population in Florida, it is countable
on both lists -- as long as it is correctly identified. It fits both
criteria 1 and 2 above.
On the other hand, the bird near Avon should or would NOT be countable if
it is were deemed (judged) to have come from a NON-established population,
such as an escape from a local zoo, waterfowl or other bird collection,
etc. -- especially from a site in NC or maybe Virginia.
We are all aware that non-native species *are and have long-been* counted
on the ABA checklist and state lists, as they are from established breeding
populations -- House Sparrow, European Starling, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian
Collared-Dove, House Finch, and I suppose one or two others. Tough calls
have been (in NC) the Mute Swan and Ring-necked Pheasant, but both are on
the NC list owing to at least former established breeding populations in
the Delmarva Peninsula (Mute Swan) and Hatteras Island to Core Banks
(pheasant). These latter two populations are now blinking out.
So, enjoy searching for and documenting the swamphen. It is important to
check on whether it is VERY tame such that it might be a local escape (and
ultimately should not be counted), versus more flighty such that it could
be a legit stray north from Florida (and thus countable).
Harry LeGrand
Raleigh
On Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 11:37 AM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
> All,
>
> I am on site with a number of other birders— including Wings Over Water
> trip leaders (shameless plug for the festival this week). It is foraging in
> the roadside ditch, oblivious to traffic and bino /camera toting humans.
>
> Originally spotted by Kate Sutherland on her way north when it was in the
> open, adjacent to the Ramp 34 parking area, the Swamphen managed to cross
> over Hwy 12. It seems ensconced in the wet vegetation now.
>
> Hoping it hangs around— but does not end up a fatality.
>
> Photos are being posted to various media/sites now.
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Alan Meijer <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 13 October 2026 11:13:48
> *To:* Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Gray-headed Swamp hen reported: Dare Co.
>
> The ABA Rare Bird Alert just posted on Facebook that a GRAY-HEADED SWAMP
> HEN was spotted and photographed in Avon, NC, in Dare County. It mentions
> that this would be a first state record. (This Facebook page only reports
> such type of rarities.)
>
> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GTRfdT6em/ >
>
> Alan Meijer
> Beaufort Co., NC
>
>
> ______________________
> Alan Meijer
>
