Clarence--what is this bird???

[Turkey Track Bar]

Hi Clarence--

In the past you seemed pretty knowledgeble (? spelling) on the flora and fauna on the northern plains.....

We have a pair of these birds that come back every year, and arrived to our outfit about a month ago--do you know what they are? I think they're pretty cool, and so different from our other birds.

In advance, thanks,

TTB

PS I hope I can get this picture posting stuff figured out

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/t ... r/bird.jpg

I'm editing this message---cool tool I never realized was available---sorry the picture isn't the best-I had to pretty much point and click as these guys are kinda flighty, and by the time I got the hubby stopped (we were tagging calves) the birds were 'bout ready to fly the "coop"!

[Northern Rancher]

Aren't those some kind of avocet.

[TXTibbs]

That bird i have seen many times on our ranch in South Dakota.

It is a called a Long-Billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

Here is a website that explains a little more about them:

http://www.weaselhead.org/profile/index.php?s=109

Take care

[SASH]

I was told by someone, that bird is a Plover. Don't know if the fella knew what he was talking about, though.

[Kate/wy]

A clapper rail, maybe; or marbled godwit, perhaps.

[TXTibbs]

I'm telling you, its called a Long-Billed Curlew!!!!

HAHAHA...go to this website i found it just for all you non believers!

http://www.weaselhead.org/profile/index.php?s=109

[Turkey Track Bar]

TX Tibbs---

Sure enough, that's them-a Long Billed Curlew!!! I now know what a Curlew is---a couple of folks were just chatting about them not too long ago on here (I think Clarence and Katrina, but could be mistaken)

When I came north from CO I really missed all the different birds we had in the mountains---but enjoy the ones we have here too-with the exception of the pheasants-if they would stay off the road and quit trying to commit suicide, I'd like them more!

I am not sure my hubby ever looked at the "fauna" until he met me--he's always in too big of a hurry, but now he's starting to and I think we might start keeping a list of birds we see around our place.

Anyway, thanks-I learned something new today, so it will an extra great day!

TTB

[alabama]

looks like a snipe to me.

[Nicky]

Definately a curlew! MUCH bigger than a snipe. I like the noise they make.

[TXTibbs]

They do make a nice sound......i miss hearing them. You hear that sound and if you didn't know what it was it would make you wonder what was out there. They are a big bird and lay big eggs. There little chicks ive seen several times just running around dodging hooves or tires. haha. They don't really stay in a nest.....they are more like a kill deer chick and may just be running anywhere.

[alabama]

Do you flokes up north have "whipper-wills" and if so have you ever seen one. I have herd them every summer evening and night of my life but have only seen one a few times. Last year one liked to sit on a limb close to the house and with me sleeping with the window open he keep me up more than one night.
The sounds of an alabama summer evening without a whipper-will in the background would sure be strange.

[TXTibbs]

I can't say i have ever heard nor seen a whippoorwill, but Nighthawks we have. They are a neat bird that look similar to a whippoorwill.