Monday, September 28, 2009

What is this?



My friend had this bird in her backyard today. I've never seen anything like this in Racine.
Anyone know what it is?
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17 comments:

  1. MinnesotaChickSeptember 28, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    I've seen cranes up north, but never one like this.

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  2. kkditherSeptember 28, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    I think it is an omen! Never seen anything like it either.

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  3. kkditherSeptember 28, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    I took out my book, "Birds of North America, A guide to field identification." Don't ask why I own this, I don't know myself.

    Here is what I found: Could be an American Bittern from the heron family. They list that as being 23" or so in length. It does look big. The bird shown in my book looks like it has more of a tail though.

    Or, it could be an upland Plover, from the sandpiper family if it was smaller, like about 10". Both birds can be found in this area, at least at migration.

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  4. MinnesotaChickSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:01 PM

    Wow! Thanks KK! I googled images and it does look like a Bittern.

    Weird though, to see something like that in Racine. Migration, I guess.

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  5. jedwisSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:11 PM

    hey kk... I have that same book .. I use it once every 5 years

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  6. MinnesotaChickSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    With this wind it must have gotten blown off course somehow. She lives in West Racine, no marshes nearby!

    She says thanks. :)

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  7. UnknownSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    If you visit Cornell's AllAboutBirds.org, American Bittern looks like a perfect match. The range map checks out, and the typical voice is something you've gotta hear. Poor thing might have been blown away from its regular stomping grounds by all the wind.

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  8. drewzepmeisterSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    I immediately recognized the bird. I've seen it before, many years ago!

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  9. MinnesotaChickSeptember 28, 2009 at 7:31 PM

    Thanks for all the confirmations. Must have been cool to see it.

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  10. MinnesotaChickSeptember 28, 2009 at 7:31 PM

    Oh, and she said it was 'stalking' her husband.. kinda freaked him out!

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  11. SERSeptember 28, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    I not sure what kind it is, but with that long beak, you might want to go to the drug store and get one of those little things that show a “+” or a “-“ and see what it says!!!!

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  12. OrbsCorbsSeptember 28, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    I've never seen one like that.

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  13. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    It's a brown and white Long Neck North American Patio Crapper.

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  14. OrbsCorbsSeptember 29, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    You sure it isn't a Striped Wisconsin Stretch-Throated Grill Pooper?

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  15. SERSeptember 30, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    Then again it might be a Long Neck North American Stretch-Throated Windsheild Seeker.

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  16. MinnesotaChickSeptember 30, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Funny, guys! Keep the names coming!

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  17. kkditherOctober 1, 2009 at 2:01 AM

    Watch out boys... it might be a Piper Peterpecker.

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