Recently Seen Rare Birds
MOU Home Upload Image List Records Showcase Recently Seen

This page is devoted to providing photos and a brief account of unusual birds found recently in Minnesota. We welcome digital images of unusual species recorded in the state (click above on Upload Image).

Please note that all identifications posted here should be considered tentative until the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Records Committee has had the opportunity to evaluate the relevant documentation.

This page will be updated as frequently, or as infrequently, as unusual records occur.


Purple Martin in Beltrami County
2024-03-15

Uncommon in Beltrami County in the Spring season

Purple martin seen March 15, 2024 at BSU Purple martin colony. Sitting in trees along lake between houses. Previously banded in MN, possibly in Bemidji, as red band seen on right leg with MN visible. Numbers not visible, but would be appreciated if resighted and band read.

Brian Hiller, digiscoped with iPhone


Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) in Cook County
2024-03-10

First record for Cook County in the Spring season

Still hanging out with our little junco flock in Lutsen. This is the first winter in our 21 years that we have had juncos for an entire winter.

Jean Brislance


Common Raven in McLeod County
2024-03-09

Five or fewer records in McLeod County for the Spring season

In an aerial spiff with mature Bald Eagle. Bergen township/property

Britt Dalbec


Greater White-fronted Goose in Meeker County
2024-02-26

First record for Meeker County in the Winter season

Seen on 642nd Ave and 365th St on the East side of the road in a wooded area with a waterhole, North of Forest City

Paul and Koni Fank (Koni Fank Photographer)


Greater White-fronted Goose in McLeod County
2024-02-26

Five or fewer records in McLeod County for the Winter season

Approximately 300 GWFG from the SE winds over property, Bergen township.

Britt Dalbec


Previous "Good Birds"

Type - Species ClassOcc - Occurrence in the Season
R RegularC Widespread in distribution or locally in high numbers
Rr Rare RegularO Sporadic, often as individuals; local in distribution, usually specific habitats
C CasualU Small numbers. May be local in distribution or confined to specific habitats
R Accidental# 5 or less records/season
Gray Submitters are not Current MOU Members.
SpeciesTypeOccCountyDateSubmitter
Merlin (Prairie)HMcLeod2024-02-21Britt Dalbec
Fox SparrowR#Meeker2024-02-19Paul and Koni Fank
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Cook2024-02-09Jean Brislance
Eastern BluebirdR#Meeker2024-02-05Paul and Koni Fank
Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchCItasca2024-01-17Kathy Carroll
Fox SparrowR#Meeker2024-02-03Paul and Koni Fank
Townsend's SolitaireR#Renville2024-01-31Michael Oetken
Common RavenR#McLeod2024-02-01Britt Dalbec
Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchCItasca2024-01-27Kimberly A. Emerson
White-winged ScoterR#Scott2024-01-26Tom Gilde
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Cook2024-01-21Jean Brislance
Golden EagleROFillmore2024-01-20Todd Mitchell
Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchCItasca2024-01-16David Harrington
Barrow's GoldeneyeR#Scott2024-01-12Brad Abendroth
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerR#Otter Tail2024-01-11Les Gunderson
Long-tailed DuckR#Scott2024-01-11Brad Abendroth
American WigeonR#Meeker2023-12-31Paul and Koni Fank
Townsend's SolitaireRODakota2023-12-29Tom Gilde
Scarlet TanagerRHennepin2024-01-02Nicholas Purcell
Tufted TitmouseR#Wright2024-01-01Rose M. Shea
Varied ThrushROCass2023-12-30Don Hoppe
Fox SparrowR#Meeker2023-12-30Paul and Koni Fank
Townsend's SolitaireRODakota2023-12-29Gerald Hoekstra
White-winged CrossbillR#Redwood2023-12-29Brian T. Smith
Tufted TitmouseRUGoodhue2023-12-23Gerald Hoekstra
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Cook2023-12-21Jean Brislance
Green-winged TealR#Meeker2023-12-21Paul and Koni Fank
DickcisselRLake2023-12-17James W. Lind
Vesper SparrowRBeltrami2023-12-18David Harrington
Townsend's SolitaireRORamsey2023-12-18Tom Gilde
Varied ThrushROSt. Louis2023-12-01Linda Schwegman
Double-crested CormorantRMcLeod2023-12-16Paul and Koni Fank
Vesper SparrowRBeltrami2023-12-09Alex Burchard
Townsend's SolitaireR#Anoka2023-12-07Steve Broste
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Cook2023-12-06Jean Brislance
Fox SparrowR#Meeker2023-12-05Paul and Koni Fank
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Meeker2023-12-02Paul and Koni Fank
Varied ThrushROSt. Louis2023-11-29Brad Snelling
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)HBig Stone2023-11-27Jason Frank
Sage ThrasherARamsey2023-11-15Tom Gilde
Sage ThrasherARamsey2023-11-15Gerald Hoekstra
Sage ThrasherARamsey2023-11-13Kathy Carroll
Cattle EgretROHennepin2023-11-08Gregg Severson
Cattle EgretROHennepin2023-11-08Gregg Severson
Red-tailed Hawk (Northern)H#Carver2023-11-07Britt Dalbec
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-02Richard Gotz
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-07Gerald Hoekstra
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-04Tom Gilde
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)HOtter Tail2023-11-03Les Gunderson
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-03Elizabeth R. Tiller
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-02Tom Gilde
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-01Lon Baumgardt
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-02Roy Zimmerman
Anna's HummingbirdA#Dakota2023-11-01Luke Hollander
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)H#Meeker2023-10-22Paul and Koni Fank
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)HOtter Tail2023-10-18Les Gunderson
Surf ScoterR#Koochiching2023-10-14Allan Meadows
Wild TurkeyRKoochiching2023-10-02Allan Meadows
Lesser Black-backed GullRKandiyohi2023-09-30Douglas W. Kieser
Black-headed GrosbeakCOtter Tail2023-09-19Les Gunderson
Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's)HOtter Tail2023-09-20Les Gunderson
Sabine's GullR#Pipestone2023-09-19Brian T. Smith
LimpkinAClay2023-09-09Patrick B. Beauzay
RuffCChippewa2023-08-22Kimberly A. Emerson
Black-throated Blue WarblerRUCook2023-08-16Jean Brislance
Neotropic CormorantA#Hennepin2023-08-10Douglas W. Kieser
Parasitic JaegerR#St. Louis2023-07-28Richard Gotz
Parasitic JaegerR#St. Louis2023-07-26Lon Baumgardt
Henslow's SparrowRURice2023-07-15Gerald Hoekstra
Greater White-fronted GooseRBrown2023-07-14Brian T. Smith
Yellow-throated WarblerCOlmsted2023-07-01Trey Weaver
LimpkinAChisago2023-06-18Michael Kurtz
Yellow-breasted ChatR#Blue Earth2023-06-29Kristyn Hewitt
American AvocetR#Olmsted2023-06-25Jerry Pruett
Yellow-breasted ChatR#Blue Earth2023-06-25Brad Abendroth
Piping PloverRBeltrami2023-06-22Alex Burchard
WilletRBeltrami2023-06-21David Harrington
California GullCStearns2023-06-19Lon Baumgardt
Black VultureCAitkin2023-06-19Lon Baumgardt
Bell's VireoRURice2023-06-15Gerald Hoekstra
LimpkinAWatonwan2023-06-13Lon Baumgardt
Crested CaracaraALake2023-06-09Maria Bauman
Blue GrosbeakROHennepin2023-06-03Linda Schwegman
LimpkinAWatonwan2023-06-04Andrew Nyhus
LimpkinAWatonwan2023-06-03Alexander R. Watson
Black-necked StiltCMeeker2023-06-04Paul and Koni Fank
Snowy EgretR#Anoka2023-06-01Douglas W. Kieser
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherC#Washington2023-05-29Tom Gilde
Bell's VireoROWashington2023-05-29Tom Gilde
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherC#Washington2023-05-28Douglas W. Kieser
Pacific LoonR#Hennepin2023-05-27Lon Baumgardt
Red KnotC#McLeod2023-05-26Steve Broste
Black-throated Blue WarblerRCCook2023-05-24Jean Brislance
Red-throated LoonROHennepin2023-05-06Josh Baker
Pacific LoonR#Hennepin2023-05-23Tom Gilde
Common GallinuleROMower2023-05-23Richard N. Smaby
Black VultureC#Fillmore2023-05-22Todd Mitchell
Lark BuntingCOSt. Louis2023-05-21Lon Baumgardt
Summer TanagerROSt. Louis2023-05-18glen sorenson
Western TanagerR#Meeker2023-05-18Paul and Koni Fank
Black-necked StiltCNobles2023-05-15Kimberly A. Emerson
Summer TanagerRCass2023-05-11Deanne Endrizzi
Brewster's WarblerHBrown2023-05-11Michael Oetken
Summer TanagerR#Meeker2023-05-11Paul and Koni Fank
Summer TanagerR#Mower2023-01-01Peter Mattson
Kentucky WarblerCOHennepin2023-05-10Michael Kurtz
Cerulean WarblerRUBrown2023-05-10Brian T. Smith
Prothonotary WarblerR#Olmsted2023-05-10Jerry Pruett
Yellow-throated WarblerC#Dakota2023-05-07Matthew Thompson
Worm-eating WarblerCOHennepin2023-05-02Kimberly A. Emerson
Worm-eating WarblerCOHennepin2023-05-02Dana Sterner
Swainson's WarblerA#Hennepin2023-05-02Thomas Burns
Spotted TowheeR#Fillmore2023-05-01Todd Mitchell
Spotted TowheeRMeeker2023-05-01Paul and Koni Fank
Swainson's WarblerA#Hennepin2023-04-30Gerald Hoekstra
Swainson's WarblerA#Hennepin2023-04-29Tom Gilde
Summer TanagerRUFreeborn2023-04-28Al E. Batt
White-faced IbisR#Redwood2023-04-22Kimberly A. Emerson
Red-throated LoonROHennepin2023-04-24Douglas W. Kieser
Spotted TowheeRMeeker2023-04-21Paul and Koni Fank
White-faced IbisR#Freeborn2023-04-19Al E. Batt
Say's PhoebeR#Swift2023-04-14Kimberly A. Emerson
Curve-billed ThrasherABig Stone2023-04-19Curt Vacek
White-faced IbisRStearns2023-04-18Demelza Larson