Advertisement

Iceland gull makes 'extremely rare' visit to Florida

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Wildlife researchers in Florida said an annual bird survey led to the discovery of a highly unusual visitor to the state: an Iceland gull.

The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation said staff members and volunteers participated in the 13th Annual Florida Winter Shorebird Survey, and while snapping photos of birds on the East End of Sanibel Island researchers noticed an all-white gull.

Advertisement

The researchers snapped a few photos of the bird before moving on to help an injured pelican nearby, but a later review of the pictures determined the white bird was an Iceland gull.

The conservation foundation said it is "extremely rare" to see an Iceland gull in Florida, as the species generally spends the winter nesting in Canada.

Latest Headlines