A Rare Pink Bird Has Been Spotted in Wisconsin for the First Time in Almost 2 Centuries

Exciting news for bird lovers everywhere: A rare pink waterbird was recently spotted hanging out in Wisconsin, far away from its native habitat. The bird, which was identified as a roseate spoonbill, hasn't been seen in the area in 178 years, Smithsonian Magazine reports.

The remarkable bird is known for its beautiful pastel pink coloring and wide, flat beak. Its stunning appearance attracted the attention of Wisconsinites this week, making it the first time anyone has reported seeing a living roseate spoonbill in the area. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, a dead roseate spoonbill was found in the state's Rock County in 1845—which means that the waterbird hasn't been spotted in Wisconsin in well over a century.

Some Wisconsin natives have even traveled to observe the avian while it's still in the Badger State. "Rare bird alert!" one resident posted on Twitter. "After receiving a tip from a couple of birding friends my husband and I were able to observe and photograph a Roseate Spoonbill in Green Bay, Wisconsin."

It's no surprise that many ornithophiles want to get a closer look of the roseate spoonbill—spotting one in this locale is extremely rare. The birds typically live in warmer southern climates along the Gulf of Mexico, like southeast Florida and southwest Texas, Smithsonian Magazine reports.

It's unclear how the bird ended up in Wisconsin, but it's possible that inclement weather could have pushed it away from its preferred habitat. The waterbird has been spending its time alongside other waterbirds at the Ken Euers Nature Area and the Cat Island restoration area in Green Bay, Wis.