CARTER EVANS:
00:00:12
In the suburban community of Irvine, people are flocking to catch a glimpse of a bird rarely seen in California. It's called the purple gallinule. But this juvenile's not so purple. It's getting into its colors. But an adult, it's this beautiful purple color and has iridescence to it. And it's a very stunning bird to see.
CARTER EVANS:
00:00:31
They're typically found in the Gulf, Caribbean, and parts of South America, which means this bird has flown far from home. It's been seen eight times in the state of California.
CARTER EVANS:
00:00:42
Ornithologist Sam Bressler says the wayward bird probably lost its course on its first migration. What is the experience like to actually see it in person? It's the same between seeing a band on television versus seeing it live. And it's really cool to be able to see this bird that is thousands of miles out of its range.
CARTER EVANS:
00:01:02
Birder Bettina Eastman has already been here to see it three times. What are we looking for here? So this bird is a little bit-- about the size of a chicken, maybe. It's got long greenish-yellow legs with big, long toes.
CARTER EVANS:
00:01:16
And as an adult, it'll have bright purple plumage. And that's not what this one looks like, but it's beautiful just to see.
CARTER EVANS:
00:01:23
Photographer Juan Gonzalez is trying to snap the perfect shot. You can stop time and see it closely and see feathers and colors and textures that you didn't see before. And you just want to learn more about them. And it makes you appreciate nature. Sometimes we just really take it for granted. We walk by it. We don't see birds.
CARTER EVANS:
00:01:44
Apparently, this lost bird has found its fans. Carter Evans, CBS News, Irvine, California.
