9.17.2005

Quiz Bird


(click on image for larger version)

Here's a picture I took yesterday at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Do you know what species this is? I'm wondering if this would make a good quiz bird photograph. A few of my co-workers struggled with the identification of it. So let's say you're in southern Wisconsin. It's the apex of fall migration and you're walking through a tall grass prairie restoration area when you notice a flock of about 25 of these birds foraging at the tops of tall plants. When they flush, they pretty much stick together and fly only about 10 to 20 yards. What are they? Maybe this is too easy, but maybe not. I'll post the answer in the next day or so.

Link: All about the Bobolink from Cornell Labs

Image © 2005 Michael Allen McDowell