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Need help with identification please (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tfarm
- Start date
Thanks everyone. I have tried and tried to figure out what this little guy is. I should mention too that I'm in Minnesota if that makes a difference. Also, apparently the morning before I found him with the cat, my neighbor was outside getting the paper before it was light out and he said a white bird had dropped down from the sky right to his feet. He thought it was injured so he was going to get a box to put it in but when he got back it was gone. He said that this is the same bird. Right before the cat had gotten it, it had apparently been on the ground close to my feet because it flew up right next to me and the cat got it in mid-air. Could it be a domesticated bird of any sort, like maybe a dove or pigeon? It doesn't seem to have the proper beak though to be that. It doesn't seem to be afraid of people. It's so hard to tell, but it would be nice to figure it out. He's got a round backend like a chicken does.
Anyways, all help is greatly appreciated!
Anyways, all help is greatly appreciated!
very boring banned member
New member
Bill & eye look like this would be a small gamebird. With tame behaviour + color like that, an escapee most probably.
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
What about an albino of a Japanese quail or Chinese quail? It also reminds me of a quail and those two species are kept as pets commonly and also used in quail farming (to produce quails eggs and meat). Both species in their domesticated forms have a lot of colour variants, including all-white birds.
KnockerNorton
Well-known member
It's definately a type of quail. You can tell by the nostril and the bill. I'd say, judging by the size, probably a Chinese Painted Quail. They do have a habit of rocketting upwards and then plummetting down when they're disturbed, which fits in with the 'dropping out of the sky' thing with this one.
Thanks everyone! I am so impressed with you all being so helpful!
Yes, I actually have the bird still. He is not a good flyer, and he definately does not perch. He seems to be a ground type of bird. I thought it would be incredibly dangerous for him to be left on his own especially since he seems to be attracted to people and the fact that he doesn't fly well and because he is white I don't think he'd make it long with all of the cats and hawks around here. He seems totally healthy though and he is eating a drinking well. I've given him some game bird food and some of my cage birds food. He eats both. I do have a farm here and may explain why he was attracted to our property. I'll have my son send another picture of his back side so you can see the shape of him better. I'm pretty convinced it is a quail of some sort too. I'm guessing either someone let it loose out here or he's an escapee from someone elses home.
Thanks again for your help!
Yes, I actually have the bird still. He is not a good flyer, and he definately does not perch. He seems to be a ground type of bird. I thought it would be incredibly dangerous for him to be left on his own especially since he seems to be attracted to people and the fact that he doesn't fly well and because he is white I don't think he'd make it long with all of the cats and hawks around here. He seems totally healthy though and he is eating a drinking well. I've given him some game bird food and some of my cage birds food. He eats both. I do have a farm here and may explain why he was attracted to our property. I'll have my son send another picture of his back side so you can see the shape of him better. I'm pretty convinced it is a quail of some sort too. I'm guessing either someone let it loose out here or he's an escapee from someone elses home.
Thanks again for your help!
I stand corrected! Not paying enough attention to detail. The additional info from Tfarm certainly points to a Quail. Size, bill & head shape fit both Japanese and Chinese Quail. Still think the bill is crossed, but that deformity can occur in any bird species. Waiting for another picture of the whole bird.
erizzo
Well-known member
I was wrong again and I dont know anything about quail exept about the California Quail that live around here, but I guess that doesnt realy help here. So I'll just enjoy reading this thread and learn some more. But I wont interfear with the conversation. But I still think that Hal is right about that its not an albino because of the eye that isn't red.
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