ID please Memphis, TN (1 Viewer)

[CrowMojo]

I saw birds that I hadn't seen before today. I of course had no camera with me, not even my phone. I hope my description will help.

These were HUGE inky black birds. There were three but not close together. They were next to a pond that geese hang out by but not near the water. They made those geese look small. At least two feet tall but they were resting so I didn't get as good of a look as I wanted. They seemed to be all black except for one white mark on the face that if it was a human would have run in front of the ear and down the jaw. Not sure what to call it on birds The bill wasn't very long, dark. The neck didn't seem to be very long either, certainly not like the geese. I got a bit of a look at the back end and the feathers seemed short, maybe like a duck???? I need to learn more about birds. The head was feathered so not a vulture.

I live in Memphis, TN and the winds were really strong today. I wonder if they were migrating or got blown off course by these strongs winds we have had around here for days.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what these beautiful birds are

 

[MLoyko]

Some kind of "domestic" swan? I know you said the neck didn't seem long but maybe it was concealed? That's the only thing I can think of besides some large domestic ducks....?

 

[jmepler]

Hi CrowMojo,

Welcome to the forum.

From your description, the only thing I can think of would be Canada Geese.

Not all-over black, but the white marking matches your description perfectly.

Were the other geese domestic (white) geese?

Check out the picture here.

Mike

 

[CrowMojo]

Thanks for your replies. I know they weren't canadian geese. Canadian Geese were there as well and these things were much larger without any other markings other than black with the one white streak. Also the mark was a thin line that was almost a perfect 90degree angle. I will have to run a search on swans and see if any match.

I normally carry at least two cameras, I am so frustrated I even forgot my phone!

 

[Reuven_M]

Maybe two different sized races of Canada Geese?

 

[emupilot]

Double-crested Cormorant, maybe? Perhaps wild-looking escapee Muscovy Ducks?

 

[bcl05]

Anhinga? (wrong time of year)

 

[CrowMojo]

Anhinga? (wrong time of year)

That is an awesome bird! I had never heard of that one before. Closer than most guesses. I didn't get a good look at the neck but the bill was black. I think shorter too. I keep checking Cormorant pics thinking it will lead to me to this guy but so far no.

 

[Larry Lade]

CrowMojo, if you are able, perhaps you could go back to the site where you first encountered the bird and see if you can get a photo. That would certainly be of great benefit in establishing the identity of the bird you saw.

 

[CrowMojo]

CrowMojo, if you are able, perhaps you could go back to the site where you first encountered the bird and see if you can get a photo. That would certainly be of great benefit in establishing the identity of the bird you saw.

I wish I could. I went home and got a camera but it took about an hour and they had left. I've been stalking the site since and nothing. I think they were blown off course by the crazy strong winds we had that day.

I knew it was a long shot by the description alone but I had to try. Thanks to everyone that tried to help.

 

[Larry Lade]

Might they have been sub-adult Bald Eagles (showing some white marking on their face)?

They might be standing around in places where geese congregate.

 

[AlexC]

Larger than Canadas sounds like it could be domestic waterfowl to me.

 

[CrowMojo]

I would adore it if I saw a Bald Eagle! I really think these were waterbirds though. I got a good look at his backside

After thinking about it I know he had really short legs, not long like the geese. He did a funny hop instead of walking. I am not sure if they were standing upright or just had the wings poofed out a bit to dry. Every feather on his face was facing a different direction. Again really brutal winds. He had black legs and beak. His beak was pointed down. If he was human I would say he had his chin tucked to his chest. The only color I saw was a thin line of white.

Sorry to keep bothering ya'll with this but I swear he Looked at me. I have to know what he is. I will keep stalking that site for sure. It is protected since it is in front of the correctional facility, I'm just afraid I will make them think I'm up to now good, LOL! Really officer I was waiting on a bird.....

 

[CrowMojo]

Larger than Canadas sounds like it could be domestic waterfowl to me.

I have tried numerous search engines but can't find any reference to a black waterbird. Do you have any suggestions of names or places I can look?

It does look like it may have been a duck or some kind of goose without the longer legs and neck. I don't see any refernce to size though. Do either of them get that big? I thought Canadian geese were pretty large. These were almost as tall as a Canadian Goose. I would say to about halfway up the neck of one standing but the mass was much more impressive.

 

[MLoyko]

You can try Brant but they are smaller they wouldn't be larger than Canada's. Other than that I think we have have given you most of the possible options without being able to see a picture.

Like Alexc, myself, and a few others have stated it sounds like they may have been domestic forms of some sort of geese.

 

[hojpoj]

From your description, it sounds like you saw non-breeding Neotropic Cormorants. All inky black, pointed-down beak, short legs, and a sliver of white at a 90-degree angle from his "ear" to "jaw". Could that be it? I would say you are very observant to notice these details. Check out these photos:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=217974

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=241746

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=188418

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=188090

- hojpoj

 

[alancairns]

From your description, it sounds like you saw non-breeding Neotropic Cormorants. All inky black, pointed-down beak, short legs, and a sliver of white at a 90-degree angle from his "ear" to "jaw". Could that be it? I would say you are very observant to notice these details.

I'd say you've nailed it.

Alan

 

[stonechat1]

I'd say you've nailed it.

Alan

Seem so

 

[Jim M.]

I'd say you've nailed it.

Alan

Yeah, except Neotropic Cormorants would be accidental in Memphis and are about half the size of a Canada Goose--while the OP says his birds were larger.

Best,
Jim