Expert: Julia Booth - 8/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: I live south of Salt Lake City and I have about 100 large migrating birds eating grasshoppers in my 5 acre pasture. These birds are about 20-24" tall, blackish, long legged, non-webbed feet, curved bill - they look like they should be wading on a shore line. I've lived here 8 years and this is the first time I've seen these birds - thanks for your help!

ANSWER: The only long legged birda with a curved bill that are "blackish" and would be found at the Salt Lake, are the American Avocet, the black-necked stilt and the red-necked pharalope. None are completely black.

I have never heard of any of these eating grasshoppers. But I can't imagine they wouldn't, if they were hungry and the grasshoppers were in abundance, which it sounds like they are. The Salt Lake is a huge migratory zone for birds.

Here are some resources:

http://www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com/

http://ut.water.usgs.gov/greatsaltlake/birds/

Let me know if it's not one of these species and we'll go from there,

Julia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: They definitely weren't black necked avocet - I now believe they were white faced ibis - the size of the birds, uniform color and the curved bill eliminate every other possibility. They have all moved on, now . . . it was just a two day show which I was lucky to witness.  Thanks, so much, for you help -
Ann

Answer
I didn't even think about the ibis. Yes, from a great distance they would appear to be blackish. Probably they would also eat grasshoppers.

You really live in some prime migratory territory. So you're apt to see bizarre sights like that one. Don't be surprised if you see flamingoes one day. Anything is possible.