Expert: Julia Booth - 4/12/2009

Question
Dear Julia,

I live on the western shore of Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, WI and several weeks ago in mid-morning spotted a bird in my backyard that I've not been able to identify. It was walking (with kind of a stutter-step) along the ground, rustling in the leaves. About pigeon-size, but rounder, not tapered. Its beak was long and slender and curved (I've found pictures that suggest to me it might be in the curlew family) and almost half-again as long as its body. I thought it might be a juvenile because its orange-marked underbelly was fluffy-looking. It had two white stripes down its back, causing me for a moment to wonder if, in fact, it was a skunk! But continued watching assured me it was, in fact, a bird. The curlew pictures I've found have all been of adults--adults standing straight up. This bird was moving along very close to the ground. Its back was not spotted and it was alone. Other than the rustling in the leaves, it made no sound. Help!

Thanks so much for anything you can tell me--and, hope you had/have a wonderful Easter.

Answer
I can give you some very good guesses, based on your location and description. You can look at these and tell me what you think and then maybe we can narrow it down.

American Woodcock

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/980/overview/American_Woodcock.aspx

Common Snipe

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/984/overview/Common_Snipe.aspx

Virginia Rail

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/514/overview/Virginia_Rail.aspx

Hope this helps,

Julia