Bird ID, Please - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/31/2007 09:27:14 PM · #1

Can you help me identify this UFO?

[thumb]607281[/thumb]

lunachicken

Nikon D90

10/31/2007 09:38:53 PM · #2

American Dipper methinks.

All About Birds

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/31/2007 09:42:01 PM · #3

Cld be, although...
this one's got a yellow beak, not a dark one...

BlueZamia

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/31/2007 09:47:48 PM · #4

Looks like an American Dipper
//www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/bhdipper/
Fat grey bird with a little head. Every photo I find is near water. Book says they swim like a duck.
The juvenile drawing in Sibley Guide To Birds has a yellow beak, browner head and white edges on feathers of the Brest and wings

Message edited by author 2007-10-31 21:50:42.

lunachicken

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/31/2007 09:52:48 PM · #5

Sibley's shows the juvenile that looks spot on, even the yellow beak. Wish I could link it but it's a book :p

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/31/2007 09:54:28 PM · #6

Originally posted by lunachicken:

Sibley's shows the juvenile that looks spot on, even the yellow beak. Wish I could link it but it's a book :p

Yes, this jives with what I found googling for it. Beautiful, thank you all.

Veiolets

Nikon D200

10/31/2007 09:55:47 PM · #7

Here are descriptions from 'Birds of North American" online version.

American Dipper -

This speciesâ�� distinctive traits include incessant dipping, a blinking white eyelid, and frenzied feeding by jumping or diving into turbulent water even at ambient temperatures well below 0Â°C. To persist in this demanding environment, the American Dipper has a low metabolic rate, extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood, and a thick coat of feathers. It aggressively defends both summer territories and winter spaces along streams.

Chunky passerine, 14â��20 cm long, with short wings and short, square or slightly rounded . Body neutral gray. Bill laterally compressed. Narrow white feathers on upper and lower eyelids produce white flash seen in field (Goodge 1959, Godfrey 1986). Sexes similar in plumage, but female generally smaller than male.

Not easily confused with any other North American bird. Restricted to streams and rivers. Constantly dips entire body in an up-and-down motion. Walks, dives, and swims underwater to feed.

"Bare Parts
Bill And Gape
In Juvenal plumage, maxilla and tip of mandible dull plumbeous or bone brown; remainder of mandible orange salmon color or wood brown, but base of and cutting edges of bill similar although duller or maize yellow. In adult, bill plumbeous black or drab, but extreme edge of mandible brownish white or dull pale yellow or yellowish white (Oberholser 1974).

Iris
Raw umber.

Legs And Feet
In Juvenal plumage, light flesh color. In adult, light pink, toes whitish pink."

Looks like juvenile to me.

LG

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/31/2007 09:59:00 PM · #8

> Velolets

Curtsy.

lunachicken

Nikon D90

10/31/2007 10:02:57 PM · #9

Actually a pretty cool bird to watch. Not a everyday find for sure :)