Dead Bird Photo (1 Viewer)

D

Draco

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #1

Hi all,

Sorry to start out this way, but I REALLY want to know what this bird is. It was a building strike victim, got rained on... so it's not in great shape. I'm usually pretty good at getting an ID, but this has me stumped. Sure that it was in migration, so it may not be a local to the mid Michigan area. Looks like some type of shore bird, but I come up with zip from all of my resources. This bird was about as big as my foot. Any ideas?

 

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Edward

Umimmak

• May 13, 2003

• #2

Without having any American guides at hand, (the Sibley's at home), and painfully aware that I could be making a fool of myself, I reckon this a Least Bittern!
E

 

Rob Smallwood

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #3

Draco,

Looks to me like you have got a Rail here, the bird has long legs and a longish, de-curved beak typical of the genus.

This bird appears to show the characteristics of Clapper or King Rail. I'm not sure if either are migratory.

Clapper Rail has three forms, Californian, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast. Apparently King Rail and forms of Clapper Rail sometimes breed producing hybrids and from my literature there is not much to separate the different species.

This bird does not directly match the plumages shown in my books but I would suggest that this is the most likely candidate.

A word of warning though - I have no experience at all of America birds other than the odd straggler across the Atlantic so I could be well off the mark!!

 

D

Draco

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #4

Thanks for the IDs! I'd go with Least Bittern, having looked at the options. The US map says that for the State of Michigan this bird is:
Recorded as erratic, transient, casual, vagrant, or rare.
Makes me feel just a bit better about not figuring it out, but you folks "across the pond" are good!

Mark

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• May 13, 2003

• #5

Although it has the face and bill similar to the California Clapper Rail the markings aren't anywhere near. See if you can private messenger or email our member Gecsos. He is a whiz at identifications.

 

Edward

Umimmak

• May 13, 2003

• #6

I did consider a rail when I first saw it but don't have any literature with me to look at and the bill seemed heron-like. Like Rob, my knowledge of North American birds is limited to the few vagrants I've seen in Iceland but it did remind me a little of our Little Bittern in Europe.

 

Rob Smallwood

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #7

I got so caught up in the similarity in the rails that I didn't look beyond my first impression (it reminded me of pictures of the Allen's Gallinule?).

I can't argue with Least Bittern!

Still, it livened up a dull afternoon off work!

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #8

Have to agree with Edward - there's no doubt it's a Least Bittern. They're smaller than you'd imagine. I found a dead bird at High Island a few years ago and was amazed at how tiny it was

Darrell

 

stevo

Well-known member

• May 13, 2003

• #9

Yep Least Bittern.