NE DISers--Bird Question

[debster812]

OK--here's a long shot:

We have a Momma bird in our yard with a hurt (or dying ) baby. I've never seen this type of bird here before. It has kind of a pigeon shaped body, it is brownish colored, and has a very long very skinny beak.

Anyone have an Audobon book they could look up for us?

DS is upset that the baby is hurt, and we have seen foxes the past couple of days, so I am hoping we don't witness that particular piece of the "Circle of Life"

Thanks folks.

Debbie

 

[amid chaos]

is this it?

That is a Morning Dove. There isn't much you can do to help momma and baby. keep your DS occupied and away from the windows so it doesnt upset him too much.

 

[Margie J]

It sounds like a Mourning Dove to me. They look a bit like small pigeons but are all brown.

 

[Virgo10]

Mourning Dove was my first thought too. I PM'd you.

Roberta

 

[debster812]

It resembles the Mourning Dove in body shape only. The bill is VERY LONG (it was probably 2 or 3 inches) and VERY THIN. DS said that it looks like a Fat Hummingbird. The coloring is similar to the Mourning Dove too, it's just the bill. It was very flat faced, with the bill pointing almost straight down.

Just went up to check again, and baby is gone, and Momma is not around so I am hoping she got it under cover. At least that is what I'm telling DS.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I'm wondering if it is a type of woodpecker, because of the long beak. I've tried to raise baby birds but, it really is hard to do. Do you have a wild bird shelter in your area, I do. In case it comes back.

good luck!

 

[debster812]

minniepumpernickle--off to search for Wild Bird shelters around here. If she comes back, baby will definitely need some care.

 

[Virgo10]

Is it this?

That's a woodcock and they are found in this area. I've never seen one though.

Roberta

 

[preshi]

Thats a Brown Thrasher...some thrashers have longer skinny beaks but none that should be in your area.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by debster812
minniepumpernickle--off to search for Wild Bird shelters around here. If she comes back, baby will definitely need some care.

I wonder if your local SPCA can help you out too. You must be a really kind person to care so much about this little birdie!

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by Virgo10
Is it this?

That's a woodcock and they are found in this area. I've never seen one though.

Roberta

That's it Roberta!!!!!

Off to see what I can find out about it, and I have already found a rescue shelter/hospital not too far from here either, if they come back!

Thanks everyone!

 

[jipsy]

I agree, it sounds like a woodcock to me:

 

[preshi]

does that bird have another name? Its not in my field guide.

 

[jipsy]

Try American Woodcock:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i2280id.html

 

[Saffron]

Deb! You always have the mystery animals in your yard!!! What ever happened to that other mystery beaver like animal from a couple of winters ago?

 

[debster812]

Maggie--you don't know the half of it.

A couple of weeks ago, we had an "Alligator Snapping Turtle" and an old one too from the looks of him, stroll across the yard at the beginning of Ian's birthday party.

That weasel-y creature never made another appearance.

And yesterday, we had a couple of red foxes in the back yard.

Our own little Critter Country!

 

[goofy4tink]

You sound like me....we've had turkey vultures sitting in our back yard, great horned owls, foxes, racoons, opossums, coyotes, a big ole box turtle last week, a fisher cat (glad he left the area, very vicious) and someone saw a mother bear and a cub about a 1/2 mile away in the woods. Isn't NE grand!!??