Lost bird

[Scott]

I was watching this bird outside. Hadn't seen one like this before.



My wife looked it up and it's a Long Billed Dowitcher and shouldn't even be in this area.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-billed_Dowitcher/id

[cakelady]

I believe it's a woodcock. We had one stuck in our garage a few years ago. They are common to our area but rarely seen due to their excellent camouflage.

[Julie & 6pt Dave]

It is indeed an American Woodcock. They are related to the dowitchers, another shorebird that can sometimes seen in shallow waters during their fall migration. Woodcocks returned to this area just last week. If you go out at dusk or dawn, just when it's dark enough to barely see, you can listen for this bird's "Peent" and watch it's incredible aerial mating display.