Did I see a Grouse? (1 Viewer)

phiffdawg · Mar 14, 2007

Hello, I am a newbie to this forum and a herper who rapidly seems to be becoming a birder... I just saw a Grouse-type bird on my lunch break. I didn't get a photo because it took off but it had a lot of orange and black in it. Anyone know what i could have seen? I will try to get a photo of it sometime soon, although it will be difficult because it seems to be super wary.

Thanks,
Chris

delia todd · Mar 14, 2007

Hi Chris and welcome to Bird Forum from all the Staff and Moderators

I'm sorry I can't help with the indentification, but I'm sure there'll be someone along soon who can.

D

phiffdawg · Mar 14, 2007

I just saw it again and it isn't a grouse...

I am looking at my bird book and now think I saw a King Rail. My question is are they found near rivers (not just marshes)?

delia todd said:
Hi Chris and welcome to Bird Forum from all the Staff and Moderators

I'm sorry I can't help with the indentification, but I'm sure there'll be someone along soon who can.

D

AlexC · Mar 15, 2007

Hi Chris, Welcome to BirdForum!

A King Rail would be quite a great find in Massachussetts, especially this time of year. If you're sure it's a rail, Clapper or Virginia would be much more likely. Can you describe any other physical aspects of the bird besides its color and wariness?

Dave B Smith · Mar 15, 2007

Hello Chris,
And another welcome to the Birdforum. Start chasing an interesting bird and before you know it you'll be a full fledged birder! Hope you enjoy it here (and solve your mystery birds ID).

phiffdawg · Mar 15, 2007

The only description to add is that it had a long very thin bill and made a dove-like whistling sound when it flew off.

overworkedirish said:
Hi Chris, Welcome to BirdForum!

A King Rail would be quite a great find in Massachussetts, especially this time of year. If you're sure it's a rail, Clapper or Virginia would be much more likely. Can you describe any other physical aspects of the bird besides its color and wariness?

Jeff Hopkins · Mar 15, 2007

Chris,

How about a Wilson's snipe?

JH

phiffdawg · Mar 15, 2007

I think that you are probably correct Jeff! I just googled the snipe and it has quite a beak. I returned to the spot where I saw it and didn't see it today. I want to get a better look at it's face since that bill is so distinctive. Unfortunately both times I have spotted it have been mainly from the rear as it flew away from me. It seemed to have a lot more orange than the pics of snipes I have found on google.

Thanks! I certainly have never seen one of these around here before.

Jeff hopkins said:
Chris,

How about a Wilson's snipe?

JH

AlexC · Mar 15, 2007

phiffdawg said:
I think that you are probably correct Jeff! I just googled the snipe and it has quite a beak. I returned to the spot where I saw it and didn't see it today. I want to get a better look at it's face since that bill is so distinctive. Unfortunately both times I have spotted it have been mainly from the rear as it flew away from me. It seemed to have a lot more orange than the pics of snipes I have found on google.

Thanks! I certainly have never seen one of these around here before.

American Woodcocks are beginning to display in the Northeast... is that your bird?

phiffdawg · Mar 15, 2007

I think we've found my bird! Pretty neat considering I didn't get a photo or good look at it. The pics of the woodcock match the coloration of what I have been seeing. Thanks so much. Quite an odd bird when you've never seen one before.

overworkedirish said:
American Woodcocks are beginning to display in the Northeast... is that your bird?

AlexC · Mar 16, 2007

phiffdawg said:
I think we've found my bird! Pretty neat considering I didn't get a photo or good look at it. The pics of the woodcock match the coloration of what I have been seeing. Thanks so much. Quite an odd bird when you've never seen one before.

It is an odd bird! I saw my first one of the season just a few days ago, too.

Jeff Hopkins · Mar 16, 2007

overworkedirish said:
American Woodcocks are beginning to display in the Northeast... is that your bird?

Nice call, Alex. I forgot about woodcocks.

Did I see a Grouse? (1 Viewer)

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