Apparent conjoined barn swallows found in Arkansas

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July 20, 2008, 1:55PM
Apparent conjoined barn swallows found in Arkansas


By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An apparent set of conjoined twin birds — an incredibly rare find — has been discovered in Arkansas, authorities said.

The pair of barn swallows, attached at the hip by skin and possibly muscle tissue, is being sent to the Smithsonian Institution for examination and confirmation, Arkansas wildlife officials said Friday.

"I can't even say it's one in a million — it's probably more than that," said Karen Rowe, an ornithologist with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. "There's just very little to no records of such a thing."

The birds, found by a landowner in White County, fell out of a nest as a healthy sibling flew off to learn how to hunt with its parents, Rowe said. The birds first appeared to have only three legs, but further examination found a fourth leg tucked up underneath the skin connecting the pair.

Rowe said the landowner likely kept the birds for a day before calling wildlife officials. By the time officials arrived, the birds were not eating. One died early Friday and a veterinarian later euthanized the other.

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