Must be a ground nester as it flies only if pushed. A small bird about 1/2 the size of a blue jay (or it may be a juvenile). It looks like a quail - light brown back, white belly, white stripe around its neck like a pheasant, other brilliant markings. No plume. A high, piercing cry: "Pew! Pew!"
Can someone tell me what this is?
Catty (Can I pet it?)
Posts: 3826 | Location: Olympia, WA, USA | Registered: 06-04-02
My husband is the bird expert. He thinks it might be a plover. They are ground birds with ringed necks and usually white bellies. They dart along the ground, then stop, then run again. They have fairly vivid markings. Call is pee-ooo or pee-wit and carries a long way. There are different species. The Eurasian Dotterel is not wary of humans and can be approached. It has a white 'eyebrow' that wraps around its head. They can be seen as far south as Washington but are more common farther north. The kildeer is the commonest plover. It has two calls: one two-syllable and one dee-dee-dee. They have rather long legs in all species.
Posts: 6397 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
Babs, I think your husband has hit the nail with the sharp side of the hammer. That sounds exactly like my little bird here - even the call is the same! Thank him very much for me the next time you see him, and yes, you can give him a kiss, too.
So nice, to know what to call things!
Catty
Posts: 3826 | Location: Olympia, WA, USA | Registered: 06-04-02
