Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/9/2007

Question
I live in NH, rurally, and close to Canadian border. Saw a bird in my yard, ground feeding and alone, that I cannot identify. About the size of a pigeon, blue grey color---only saw side view, but when it flew it had a totally white tail that spread out like a fan. Very pretty. Sorry I can't describe better, but cannot find in any of my little books. Can you help me identify the bird. It was the beautiful white tail that really looked like an open fan as it flew---and it was the TOP of the "fan" that I saw as the bird took off in nearly vertical flight with it's back towards me. Thank you for your help
Mena  

Answer
Well, I can't be positive, but it sounds like a pigeon of some sort. They come in all kinds of colors and often have white tails like you describe. Unless other markings and the bill are unlike pigeons', that is what it appears to me to be. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com
Mena - I saw your response in which you stated that I wasn't interested in finding out what kind of bird it was. I'm sorry that you got that impression. But you did say you couldn't describe it any better and from the description you gave me, I did say it appears to be a common Rock Pigeon. I also said that the shape of the bill would help to confirm that. There is not much else I can do with so little information. If you see it again, try to see what else you can see.