Prior to a single long-staying individual near Victoria in 2003, this species was somewhat enigmatic in British Columbia. All previous records were historical and the actual origins of the single specimen record were considered somewhat dubious due to chronic mis-labelling of bird specimens from the early years of ornithological research in the province. Several additional records of this species from the Pacific coast of the U.S. (and even northwestern Mexico) indicate that it is a casual vagrant along the entire west coast of the continent south of Alaska.
1.(1) adult; winter 1892-93; off Kyuquot Sound, Vancouver Island
2.(several) adults; May 1912; north end of Vancouver Island
3.(1) immature (2nd-year); September 5-October 3, 2003; Rocky Point, Metchosin
Note Authors: Rick Toochin and Jamie Fenneman
