… And this is NOT an April Fool’s sighting

We can say that with relative certainty because this is the SECOND West Seattle sighting of this exotic bird that’s been brought to our attention in the past few days. The first one – from Scott, who saw it Friday at 16th and Kenyon – was a little too blurry to use, but when Chelsea sent this photo from Delridge and Webster this morning, we thought it might be time to see if anyone is missing this long-tailed bird that she described as a golden pheasant.

26 Replies to "... And this is NOT an April Fool's sighting"

  • Heather April 1, 2013 (1:00 pm)

    A golden pheasant, a miniature pig, a 40′ poodle…

  • sam-c April 1, 2013 (1:27 pm)

    I heard about this being spotted near Sanislo Elem.- but that was quite a few weeks ago!

  • Sonoma April 1, 2013 (1:42 pm)

    The day is far from over, but Heather wins for best post of the day!

  • Rick April 1, 2013 (2:13 pm)

    Golden Pheasant. Isn’t that a bar in Fairwood?

  • DTK April 1, 2013 (2:19 pm)

    Chupacabra!

  • marty April 1, 2013 (2:30 pm)

    Yum!!!

  • Chuck & Sally's Van Man April 1, 2013 (3:19 pm)

    Oh, the flies I could tie…

  • mehatemejob April 1, 2013 (4:41 pm)

    What a beautiful bird, hope no one harms it and it finds it’s way home.

  • Jen Zutis April 1, 2013 (6:17 pm)

    My friend and I saw this bird mid January!!! We were in a very quiet Prius and were driving up near Sanislo. We tried to snap a photo of this bird but it eluded us! We even went so far as to try flushing it out of the wooded area near the SE corner of the Sanislo parking lot. I liken the experience to a Bigfoot sighting because I had a hard time describing it and if my friend hadn’t of been there to see it I don’t think anyone would have believed me. I have driven by that corner on several occasions in hopes that I would spot it again and to hopefully get a picture of it. Wow, I hope it finds it way home and I can sleep at night knowing that my eyes did not receive me.

  • Christine April 1, 2013 (7:13 pm)

    I was the friend with Jen Zutis whom saw the bird as well. I was also the one that rustled thru the bushes to try to flesh him out. I knew in order to keep Jen from losing sleep I would have to do everything I could to make it reappear, so we wouldn’t think we were crazy. Thanks for the pic you have put our minds at ease.

  • Cranky Westie April 1, 2013 (7:16 pm)

    Do not be fooled: This is a North Korean drone, designed specifically to drive Seattle residents into fits of misguided enviromentalism, not unlike the species of super intelligent coyotes they introduced a few years ago. They are also behind the meltdown of Michelle Shocked and the dollar menu at Burger King. Mayor McBeard is also a flesh covered android code named: “Bacalava” and is controlled from a cell phone by Nick LiCata’s mom (she isn’t very good at it, but is practicing by playing “Call of Duty” in her spare time.). The pieces are coming together like a jigsaw at the rodeo! Watch the skies!

  • Jason Hartle April 1, 2013 (8:48 pm)

    This bird is probably the same one that’s been seen for a few years all over the west side. Last year it was in my sisters backyard in White Center.

    • WSB April 1, 2013 (8:53 pm)

      All I know is, two unrelated sightings landed in our inbox in the past three days! and that’s why we mentioned it …

  • LongTimer WS April 1, 2013 (9:21 pm)

    Cranky Westie,
    Keep up the postings, I truly need the laughs!! Love your sense of humor.

  • Ex-Westwood Resident April 1, 2013 (9:21 pm)

    Damn!!!!
    I’m heading to the Sanislo area.
    .
    I feel like some pheasant under glass for dinner tomorrow night!!!

  • WestSide45 April 1, 2013 (9:37 pm)

    Looks like someone left the aviary door open.

  • westman April 1, 2013 (9:51 pm)

    It is a male red golden pheasant

  • TheStraightDope April 1, 2013 (10:59 pm)

    The Golden Pheasant or “Chinese Pheasant”, (Chrysolophus pictus) is a gamebird of the order Galliformes (gallinaceous birds) and the family Phasianidae. It is native to forests in mountainous areas of western China, but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
    .
    It is an invasive species and must be terminated with extreme prejudice.

  • Kip April 2, 2013 (11:37 am)

    @ the straight dope. Your just another person who likes to “terminate” beautiful things. Just because it had a tendency to become abundant doesn’t mean that it needs to die. There are plenty of good alternatives for keeping this lovely fella from breeding while keeping him safe, healthy, happy, and away from harm.

  • mehatemejob April 2, 2013 (1:17 pm)

    To reproduce does’t it need a bird of the same species?
    Not like us Humans who will reproduce with just about any make or model?!

  • Ex-Westwood Resident April 2, 2013 (2:08 pm)

    Hey Kip,

    Yup, it’s called a CAGE, and if the owner isn’t responsible enough to keep an eye on the bird or take care of it, then it is THEIR fault if it comes to harm.

  • elaine April 2, 2013 (5:59 pm)

    It looks healthy — must be OK if it has been seen around town for months now.

  • Kip April 2, 2013 (9:10 pm)

    @ ex-wood re… I don’t disagree with you, however that wasn’t the original debate.

  • Kip April 2, 2013 (9:21 pm)

    Besides aren’t all wild birds feral?

  • Laura April 3, 2013 (7:14 am)

    I saw this guy (or girl) again! Yesterday afternoon around 7pm crossing Sylvan Way near the Home Depot. The poor thing almost got hit by several cars, and I myself nearly got rear-ended trying to get a good look at him – I hope he continues to survive!

  • Rita April 12, 2013 (10:09 am)

    I saw him last night around the West Seattle Golf Course. He is beautiful. I hope to see him again.

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